Rosemarie “Punky” Borte

Rosemarie Borte

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — Rosemarie “Punky” Borte, 75, Federal Way, Wash., died July 10, 2023, at home after a battle with cancer. Funeral services will be 11 a.m., July 24, at St. Louise Catholic Church, Bellevue, Wash. Memorial services and interment will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Crofton. Punky, as she was known to family and friends, was born to Maggie and Leo Borte May 1948. She was the second born of a large boisterous family of 12 children and grew up in Centralia, Wash. After attending St. Mary’s Grade School and St. Mary’s Academy, she went on to work for Bank Check Supply where she met many cherished friends. She later moved to the Seattle area where she worked for 20 years as a professional nanny, loving and caring for some very lucky kids.

Punky loved to travel and over the years traveled to some amazing places with family, friends and for work. An expert seamstress, she made pajamas, quilts and performed stuffed animal repairs for her nieces and nephews and the children she cared for.

Around the holidays, she spent weeks baking her famous coconut and peanut butter balls along with cookie tins full of other sweet treats.

Punky had a great sense of humor, was full of fun and loved to share it with her many friends and family.

She is survived by her siblings, Barbara Middaugh, Joe Borte, Jim Borte (Brenda), Steve Borte (Fere), Donna King, Carol Borte, Linda Huse, Mike Borte, Joan Olsen and Tom Borte (Denise). And many, many relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Maggie and Leo Borte; her sister, Marian Long; and her brother-in-law, Mike Huse.

Punky requested that in lieu of flowers,donations be made in her name to St. Joseph’s Catholic School (scholarship in her name) 123 SW 6th Street, Chehalis, WA 98532; Floyd & Delores Jones Cancer Institute at Virginia Mason 1100 Ninth Ave, Suite G1-MSO, Seattle, WA 98101; or Food Lifeline 815 S. 96th Street, Seattle, WA 98109.