This month, we honor our PW Class of 1982 classmate, Jodi L. (Turkin) Borkowski, 60, of Collegeville, PA, who passed away on Sunday, December 10, 2023.
Born in Philadelphia, PA, on July 29, 1963, she was the youngest daughter of Alan and Leanore (Cohen) Turkin. A lifelong resident of the area, Jodi was a proud alumna of Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School in Plymouth Meeting, PA. After graduating, she left a successful career as an office administrator to become a wife, mother, grandmother, and the center of a circle of family and friends.
In her beautiful obituary, we learn that Jodi was the wife of James Borkowski, and her legacy includes their beloved daughter, Shaylen Brummett of Bonita Beach, Florida, who, alongside her husband Jason, blessed her with two grandchildren, Kadence and Jacob. She was also a loving sister to Michele Schultz of Lafayette Hill, PA, and aunt to Justin Schultz and Anthony Schultz. Jodi shared a special bond with her cousin Donna Braitman of Blue Bell, PA, who was like a sister to her. Her life was further enriched by her late dog, Jasper, whose companionship brought her immense joy and comfort. Her legacy continues in the lives of her family, who cherish her memory dearly. Her sister, Beth Robin Turkin, predeceased her.
Jodi’s dear friend, Loleen Grenier, shares with us: “Jodi had a vibrant, sparkling personality that lifted everyone around her, sharing her unmistakable energy. Friends weren’t merely friends to Jodi; they were family. She was wholehearted and bolstered everyone around her with her exuberant support. She was vivid and energetic and fun.”
Fellow Class of 1982 alumnus and longtime friend of Jodi’s, Rhonda Diantonio, adds: “Jodi celebrated music and loved to see live bands in the area. She loved her community in Skippack and was delighted to visit the village’s quaint boutiques and restaurants. She enjoyed watching the horses graze beyond her back deck for years with her devoted dog Jasper, who passed in 2018.”
In June, “an overwhelming number of former classmates gathered with her friends and family to celebrate her life, which was a testament to her love, friendship, and making every moment count. Her laugh, her spirit, and the place she will always hold in our hearts will stay with us forever,” Loleen and Rhonda tell us.
They explain that Jodi’s life was a testament to her ability to celebrate every moment.
“To her, friends were not just companions but an integral part of her extended family. She nurtured these relationships with the same love, care, and enthusiasm she showed her family. Jodi had a vibrant spirit and loved socializing, bringing her infectious energy and zest to life. Her support for her loved ones was unwavering. Whether it was a word of encouragement, a gesture of kindness, or a grand celebration for a milestone, Jodi was always there, cheering the loudest and celebrating the hardest. Her spirit of joy and capacity to love unconditionally made every moment with her a cherished memory.”
Debbie Bolotin Schwab, the organizer of our PW reunions, says, “We all loved seeing Jodi at the October 2022 PW reunion and are so glad she could join us!”
Memorial contributions may be made in Jodi’s memory to American Heart Association, P.O.Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005 or ASPCA, 19 East Ridge Pike, Conshohocken, Pa 19428. To plant trees in her memory, visit the Sympathy Store.