PORTLAND – Betsy Anna Louise (Gude) Borda passed away on Feb. 12, 2021 following a brief illness.

Betsy was born in Fresno, Calif. on Feb. 2, 1934 to Norwegian immigrants Mathilde (Tulla) Linaae Gude and Hans Erik Anker Gude. A few years later, the family moved to a home on West Paseo del Mar, in San Pedro, Calif. Betsy wrote of her idyllic childhood in her children’s book “Mooney” (named for her childhood horse) that was published only a few years before her passing. Betsy graduated from San Pedro High in 1952. A talented artist and vocalist, she subsequently attended Harbor Junior College (now Los Angeles Harbor College), California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, and the University of Southern California, majoring in sculpture.

Betsy’s older brother Erik, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, met Helena Borda (daughter of Colombian diplomat Leopoldo Borda Roldan and Suzanne Weiprecht) while on leave in Paris, France. Erik and Helena married and returned to San Pedro to raise their family. Helena’s brother Daniel Jean Borda, sister Jacqueline, and brother Miguel soon followed. Betsy and Daniel met, fell in love, and married in September of 1956.

The family moved through Colorado, Florida, Mississippi, Colorado again, and ultimately settled in Littleton, Mass. After the kids graduated, Daniel and Betsy moved to Boston, and also spent a few years in England and Paris where Daniel worked as a consultant. They had three children, Karin, Louise “Lolly”, and Paul. Following Daniel’s retirement, he and Betsy moved back to California, and then to Portland. Betsy spent her remaining five years as a resident of Seaside Healthcare in Portland.

Betsy loved the ocean and the outdoors. She grew up riding horses, body surfing, and playing baseball with the boys. She characterized herself as a “California tomboy.” She was proud of her physical strength, often boasting of the time she beat her over 6-foot teenage nephews at arm wrestling. Betsy hated to “sit still,” and even in her later years, as her body started to deteriorate, was always working out in the gym and tooling around Seaside with her walker. She was a devout Christian, and a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. She always had a positive spirit, a beautiful smile, preferred to live simply and without pretension, and was such a kind, humble, strong inspiration to those around her. We will all miss her!

Betsy was preceded in death by her beloved Daniel, Jan. 31, 2019.

She is survived by her children, Karin Hepler (Raymond Hepler), Louise Borda (Paul Johnston), and Paul Borda (Suzanne Mancinelli); the children of Erik and Helena, Betsy Gude, Hans Gude, Karl Gude, Nena Gude, and Jacquie Gude Hammer; Daniel’s sister Jacqueline Borda; family friend, Jennifer Lestat; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

The family would like to thank the nurses, staff, and residents of Seaside Healthcare and Jill Hansen for their friendship, kindness, and care of Betsy in her later years.

A memorial and burial will be held in Portland in the spring.

Arrangements entrusted to Hobbs Funeral Home, South Portland. Online condolences may be expressed at http://www.hobbsfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Preble Street Resource Center, https://www.preblestreet.org/