Saralyn Borrowman

“Your memory feels like home to me. So whenever my mind wanders, it always finds its way back to you.”    ― Ranata Suzuki

On the morning of November 23rd, Saralyn Borrowman (Dillard) returned to her Heavenly Father to begin her next great adventure. All who knew her are torn between the pain of her absence and an overwhelming love and gratitude for the time we were able to have with her.

Saralyn was born in Tooele, Utah on September 23, 1947 as the 6th of 7 children to Florence Lindholm Dillard and Horace Calvin Dillard. She enjoyed a happy childhood while being doted on by her older siblings and playing and riding the family horse, Dusty, whom she often referred to as “the best babysitter” with her closest siblings.

After graduating from Tooele High School in 1965, Saralyn attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where she studied Cloth and Textiles and eventually met and married Keith Lorus Borrowman, the lucky man who would eventually spend almost 55 years by her side. It is rumored that she turned down multiple proposals before marrying Keith on January 30, 1969 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. A story she often told was of her sweet father driving her wedding dress to Provo from Tooele during a blizzard the night before the wedding.

Keith and Saralyn’s adventures began that day, and the two of them continued to enjoy the loving and supportive marriage that grew stronger through every challenge and over every triumph. And they had their share of both. They’ve lived in Venezuela, Michigan, California, Maryland, and Arizona, and eventually had 5 sons, 20 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren (on the way).

Professionally, Saralyn has always been a standout. Although she worked for the U.S. government’s National Institute of Justice in Washington D.C. as a forensic scientist for 5 years, she found her true passion in teaching.  She got her teaching certificate at UC Hayward in California and went back to school for a master’s degree in English as a Second Language. She taught 1st grade for 5 years and focused on helping second language learners for another 5 years. Even after she finally retired in 2016, her patience and expertise in teaching children to read continued to bless the lives of her grandchildren for the remainder of her life.

Saralyn was a very faithful woman, practicing and testifying of her love for and belief in her Heavenly Father and His Plan of Salvation. She was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints her entire life, and it gave her strength and comfort through the challenges she faced. This was especially true when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 45, enduring a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. Fortunately, her cancer went into remission, and she lived a vibrant, healthy life until she was again diagnosed with ovarian cancer 4 years ago, which would eventually end her beautiful life.

Saralyn is survived by her loving husband, Keith Borrowman; son Andrew (Kristen); son Jonathan (Taya); son Keith II (Christina); son Mathew (Bethany); son Jeremiah (Rachel); 20 grandchildren spread across the country; and sister Joanna Dillard. She also leaves behind an extensive family of nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and more who love her dearly and are devastated at the loss of her warm, wise guidance in their lives.

Services will be held on Saturday, December 30th at 11:00 A.M. at 1025 West Utah Avenue, Tooele, UT. 84074. Interment will follow at the Tooele City Cemetery. Arrangements are being made by Eckersell Funeral Home, Rigby, Idaho.