Mary Van Cleve

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Mary B. Van Cleve passed away peacefully in her home Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, in Louisville at age 65 after a two-year battle with breast cancer.

She was born May 13, 1955, in Rockford, Illinois, to John Joseph Borkowski and the late Jean Green Borkowski. The family finally settled in Huntington, West Virginia. Mary graduated from Marshall University with a bachelor of science in accounting and a bachelor of arts in Spanish. While her entire career was in the accounting field, Mary continued to use her Spanish skills in translating documents and supporting English as a Second Language. Mary's last role was in the tax department with the Southern Graphics Systems in Louisville.

Mary loved her family. She met her husband, John Van Cleve, playing bridge in the student center at Marshall University. Duplicate bridge played an important part of their lives for all 41-plus years of marriage. Additionally, surviving Mary are two sons, J. Luke Van Cleve of San Francisco and Jason A. Van Cleve and his wife, Danielle, and daughter Jean Van Cleve of Kansas City, Missouri.

Her love of family was not limited to her husband, children and granddaughter. Mary loved and is cherished by her father, John J. Borkowski of Fayetteville, North Carolina; her sister, Donna, and brother-in-law Harry Skinner of San Diego, California; sister, Carol Borkowski and family of Fayetteville, North Carolina; and brother, Leo, and wife Yong Mi Yim and family of Augusta, Georgia. In addition, Mary will be remembered by her loving in-laws, Russell and Kathy Van Cleve and family of Newport Cove, California; Barbara and John Astrino and family of Tallmage, Ohio; and the late Margaret Finney and family of Charleston, West Virginia. Mary has 11 nieces and nephews and 14 grand-nieces and -nephews who love her very much. She is also survived by first, second and third cousins on both sides of the family who all loved Mary.

Finally, throughout Mary's journey she made friends with everyone and cherished every moment she spent with them. She always had a smile on her face and embraced life to the fullest.

Because of COVID-19, no memorial service is planned. Private service will be held for the family in the future to remember this beautiful woman, wife, mother, sister and warrior against cancer.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Louisville Bridge Association, your local hospice provider or the American Cancer Society.

If you wish to contact the family privately, you may contact John Van Cleve at his email address, javancleve@gmail.com.

Cremation Society of Kentucky is in charge of arrangements.