Billie Brevard Jacobs Sanborne

Billie Brevard Jacobs Sanborne, 90, passed peacefully on May 25, 2020 at her residence in Bethel Park, PA surrounded by family members in hospice care. Billie moved to the Pittsburgh area four years ago with her now deceased husband Philippe and later was joined by her son Mark, with whom she resided for the past few years at Bethel Park Retirement, where she was admired by fellow residents and staff for her sunny disposition. As a loving and devoted mother to all four of her children, she was especially comforted to have Mark by her side during her final years. Her family acknowledges her devoted caregivers, Ariel and Sally and the outstanding staff of Bethel Park Retirement. Her daughter Lynn, a Pittsburgh resident, enjoyed taking Billie to cultural events-she especially enjoyed the Phipps Flower shows, the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and musicals.

Billie is survived by her four children: Sheryl Sanborne of Silver Spring, MD, Lynn Sanborne of Pittsburgh (Michael Jimenez, deceased), Mark Sanborne of Bethel Park and Jon Sanborne of Manassus, VA. Grandchildren include: Christina Jimenez (O’Hara) of Seattle, Austin (Georgia) Kendall of Washington DC, David Jimenez of Washington, DC, Eliza Jimenez of Pittsburgh, PA, and Preston Kendall of Silver Spring, MD. Great grandchildren include Michael, Owen and Ela Jimenez of Seattle, WA.

Billie grew up in a large family on a farm in Berlin, MD,: of her nine siblings, she is survived by five devoted sisters: Ann, Betty, Ginny, Rozelle and Carol, who enjoyed time with her and Philippe when they resided in the area from 2014-2016.

At a young age, Billie recognized that she wanted to attend college, which was a huge aspiration given her family circumstances. At age 13, she left to be a “mothers’ helper” for eight years for the children of distant relatives. Her two charges, Harry and Jack Purnell remembered her fondly as like a second mother, and stayed in touch with her for decades. Her time with this family saw her through her high school years and then as a commuter college student on Long Island. This is where she met Philippe Yves Sanborne, who was captivated by this red-headed, “Southern Belle” who he met in an English class at Hofstra University.

Just short of her BA, Billie agreed to drop out and marry Phil, who desperately wanted her by his side in Marine training camp. This is just one of many examples of Billie’s generosity of spirit, in that she gave up an educational dream that meant so much to her.

Billie and Phil eventually returned to Long Island where Phil worked for many years in various editorial capacities at Newsday, the daily newspaper of Long Island.  Billie was a truly devoted and loving mother. She was always playful, fun and engaging and believed that kids should be creative and “free to be.” She allowed jumping on the furniture and endless finger painting. Billie welcomed neighborhood kids to their home and yard to “just be kids.”

A natural teacher, she served for many years as an early childhood teacher at Sunday School at the Trinity Episcopal Church of Northport.

For many years she served as Office Manager at Fort Hill Veterinary Hospital and brought solace to clients who brought in their pets for their final journey on the Rainbow Bridge.

During her retirement years in Northport,  Billie volunteered as a literacy coach (teaching ESOL, English as a Second Language) to recent immigrants, who naturally loved her enthusiasm and warmth.

Billie and Phil loved to hold expansive parties (especially on New Year’s Eve) for their abundance of friends (many from Newsday). Summer parties featured the backdrop of the extensive gardens which Billie cultivated-especially meaningful since many featured perennials from her family farm in Berlin, MD.

After putting their four kids through college, Phil and Billie in their fifties finally had the opportunity to enjoy international travel, especially in Europe. They frequently visited Phil’s sister Francine and her husband Geoffrey Taylor and their children in England. They later were game to join Lynn and her kids and with them visited Germany, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, the Czech Republic and Hungary. For a number of summers, Billie and Phil enjoyed special time in Peacham, Vermont with all of their kids and grandkids.

Her granddaughter, Eliza Jimenez, says that “she was born to be a grandmother.” So very true. She did not have this blessing until later in life: She was 55 when she had her first grandchild. She diligently lifted weights at the YMCA so that she could hold her grandkids and she treasured time with them. And she traveled three times to San Diego to serve as a “baby nurse” for her niece Candy’s three boys. At numerous Sanborne family reunions, Billie often preferred to play with the little ones rather than hang out with the grown ups.

In addition to family noted, Billie has family and friends far and wide who will celebrate the fullness of her life in a  “Virtual Memorial Celebration” in the near future.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Literacy Volunteers of Suffolk County, American Cancer Society, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, or the Alzheimers Association.
Arrangements entrusted to Jobe Funeral home & Crematory, Inc., Turtle Creek. www.jobefuneralhome.com

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