Beatrice Marie (Borowski) Walters (more affectionately known as Bea, Honey Childe, Mother, Mom, Mama, Grandma, and Grammy) 100, of San Antonio, FL was born into eternal life on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. She passed peacefully at her home, surrounded by and in the hearts of, her family.

Bea was born July 16, 1923, in Milwaukee, WI, to Frank & Helen Apolonia Borowski. She was the last surviving of 6 siblings; Robert Frank Borowski, Dorothy Ann (Borowski) Steinbach, Arline L. (Borowski) Kordach, Grace Cecilia (Borowski) Jackowick, and Richard Henry Borowski. They spoke German and English in the home.

She graduated from high school at a time when only 5.9% of the total population achieved a high school diploma or higher, according to the 1940 Census. After graduating high school in June 1941, she attended West Allis Vocational School (now known as Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) for 3.5 years in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (where she walked a mile to school, through blizzards uphill, both ways). She worked at Howard John Bakery followed by International Harvester. There she was a turret lathe operator, building parts for gyroscopes for torpedoes in support of the war effort. In April 1945, she enlisted in the US Army completing Basic Training in Fort Des Moines, Iowa. Subsequent assignments were at Camp Atterbury, Indiana and Army Air Base Santa Ana, California. In the Army, she served in the medical corps as a member of the Womens Army Corps (WAC) in the American Theatre. She was one of over 150,000 American women who served in the Womens Army Corp during WWII. Members of the WAC were the first women (other than nurses) to serve within the ranks of the United States Army. Eventually, she was stationed at Pratt General Hospital which had been converted for the war, as it was previously, the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida. Rest and relaxation excursions included a trip to Cuba. She was discharged from the Army June 15, 1947 after 2 years and 1-month active duty. She attained the grade of Tec 4 (Sergeant). She was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal and American Theatre Ribbon. Upon return to Milwaukee, she again worked for International Harvester in the Human Resources department.

On May 8, 1948 Beatrice Borowski married Robert Walters, Tampa, Florida (in a joint ceremony with her sister Arline and Frank Kordash) at St. Florian Catholic Church in West Allis, Wisconsin. They were married for 67 years prior to his death in 2015. During his 30-year career in the U.S. Coast Guard they relocated 7 times, in the course of 23 years, while raising 8 children. These transfers necessitated packing up the entire household, "kit and caboodle", and uprooting across the country to the next duty assignment. Residences during these assignments included Miami, FL (1948), St. Petersburg, FL (1949), Groton, CT (1950), Coral Gables, FL (1955), Boston, MA (1956), Elizabeth City, NC (1962), Great Lakes, IL (1967). After retiring from the Coast Guard, they relocated to Elizabeth City, NC (1971). A return to Florida came in 1972; relocating to "Gator Point" and "The Plantation", Inverness, FL eventually building the "Orange Castle" in San Antonio, FL (1997).

Above all else, Beatrice was a devout Catholic and dedicated member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. She received a framed Papal Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis on the occasion of her 100th birthday.

Also, on her 100th birthday, she received birthday wishes in letters from President, Joe Biden and Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis. Additionally, she received a framed copy of a speech given by Congressman Gus M. Bilirakis, on March 14, 2023, to the U.S. House of Representatives recognizing her "tireless contributions" to service. That speech is now part of the Congressional Record.

She could have taught a Masters class on being a mother and homemaker. She taught by example and was able to adapt to changing circumstances and locations. In her role as a mother, she performed other duties (as do most mothers) such as, chef, teacher, nurse, disciplinarian, chauffeur and changed hats as necessary. She was gentle, compassionate, resilient, tough, forgiving, encouraging and demanding. She has passed these traits on to the generations that follow her. She brought much good into the world and those around her.

Beatrice and Robert were the last surviving siblings in their respective families. She is survived and will be missed by her children: John Richard (Jean) Walters of Ivor, VA, Philomena Mary (William) Carr of Bertram, TX, Patrick Howard (Sandra) Walters of Stevens Point, WI, Philip Thomas (Karen) Walters of Moorpark, CA, Michael Francis (Noraida) Walters of Virginia Beach, VA, James Edward (Deborah) Walters of Zephyrhills, FL; 2 daughters-in-law: Carolyn Walters of Mission, TX, Deborah Walters of Belleview, FL; 17 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Lee Walters and 2 sons: Robert Lee Walters, Jr. and Edward Joseph Walters.

She was very excited to reach her 100th Birthday. The family thanks and expresses deep appreciation to the staff of Advent Hospital, Dade City and Gulfside Hospice for the care that helped reach her goal. We (and she) also express a very special THANK YOU, to Dennis and Barbara Berberich for their caring love and support they provided throughout the time they knew "Bob and Bea"!

The family will receive friends for viewing from 4-6 pm Sunday, August 6th, 2023, at the 301 Chapel of Hodges Family Funeral Home in Dade City. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am Monday, August 7th, 2023, at Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in San Antonio, with burial to follow at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. A Rosary Service will be held at 9:30 am, prior to the funeral Mass.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to: Holy Name Monastery, P.O. Box 2450, St. Leo, FL. 33574.

See you later alligator

Visitation

Hodges Family Funeral Home

Sunday, August 6, 2023 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM 11441 US Highway 301 Dade City, FL 33525 Directions Rosary Service

Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church

Monday, August 7, 2023 9:30 AM 32830 Saint Anthony Way San Antonio, FL 33576 Directions Funeral Mass

Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church

Monday, August 7, 2023 10:00 AM 32830 Saint Anthony Way San Antonio, FL 33576 Directions