Wendy Carol Borla

Wendy Carol Borla, 53, daughter of William and Mary Ann (Dwan) Borla, died unexpectedly at her Oak Hill group home in Middlebury, CT on November 16, 2020.  She had been an attendee of the Kennedy Center Day Program in Newtown, CT.   She leaves her sisters: Tracy Kirk (Michael) of Southbury, CT and Cathy McQuade (Joseph) of Portland, CT and her brother Peter Borla of Boston, MA.  She also leaves several aunts and uncles, four nieces and one nephew and many cousins.

Wendy was the heart and soul of her family, always using her computer to communicate the need to set up the next family gathering.  Once at the family gathering, she was quite good at herding everyone together into one room to surround herself with storytelling and laughter.

Wendy loved her parents, her family, Mister Rogers and Ricky Martin in that order.  She loved shopping for pretty outfits, laughing, making jokes and spending time with her friends and staff at her Oak Hill Group Home and Kennedy Center Day Program.

Being born with Cerebral Palsy and requiring full care would have been a major burden to some people.  Remarkably, Wendy was filled with a joyful, loving spirit that drew people to her.  She shared some incredible adventures including 3 trips to Disney World with wild rides, pool parties and flirting with the guys in bars. She went on overnight trips to casinos where she attended concerts and games, meeting Ricky Martin, Geno Auriemma and Frankie Avalon along the way.

Wendy’s favorite color was pink. Her father, Bill, created an annual family tradition of organizing a family relay team called the Pinklady in her honor for the Hartford Marathon. Many Borla and Ellis relatives ran and supported the runners.  Wendy was at the finish line to cheer the team all eight years they ran!

Wendy loved using her specialized assistive technology equipment to take photos of flowers, friends and family. She also used her equipment to email family and friends.  She was up on current events on the political scene and recently exercised her right to vote (for Biden) in the most recent election.

Every summer, Wendy loved going to Camp Kirk to visit with her favorite dogs, Murphy and Stella, as well as taking boat rides and convertible rides.  She also loved inviting her special friend Betsy Beecher for a birthday visit by the lake annually as well as weekly phone calls to check in.  Winter brought her favorite whole family event of the big Christmas Eve celebration around the piano at her sister Cathy’s.  She loved the ‘shaving cream fights’ between herself and her brother, Pete.  She also loved special spa days with her nieces, Caitlin, Julia, Nancy and Taylor – and laughed her head off when Grayson put a Ricky Martin mask on and sat nearby.

Wendy was highly aware of her surroundings and if someone was up to no good, or making a ‘mistake,’ she was quick to alert others with her laughter! And she missed nothing!

Wendy leaves behind many caring friends including Carla Ferrarotti, Betsy Beecher, Sue Davis, Marty Davis, John Neagle, Liz Lavorgna, Barb, Richie, Mary, Delores. The family wishes to extend deepest gratitude to the many, many caring staff from Oak Hill and Kennedy Center for the years of loving care.

Due to the current pandemic, services and burial are private at Hillside Cemetery, Torrington, CT. Memorial donations may be sent in Wendy’s memory to Oak Hill, 120 Holcomb St, Hartford, CT 06112 or oakhillct.org