- Date Of Birth: November 17, 1941
- Date Of Death: October 22, 2022
- State: Colorado
Mary Jo Boryla passed away peacefully in her home on October 22, 2022, surrounded by those who loved her and cared for her. Her strong faith in God gave her courage to fight and battle cancer for many years. Mary Jo never lost her will to live, which was evidenced in her smile and her constant positive attitude.
Mary Jo was born in the small town of Whitten, Iowa to Eva Waugh Stanbrough and Jerald Wayne Stanbrough on November 17, 1941. She was the second daughter of the family. She grew up in Whitten, in a farmhouse that was built by her grandfather, and enjoyed the simple farm life in her childhood.
When Mary Jo was in High School, the family moved to Gilman, Iowa. She attended Gilman High, where she became very involved in school activities. Mary Jo enjoyed being on the girls’ basketball team and was the drum majorette in the Gilman High school marching band, where she twirled the baton!
After High School, Mary Jo moved to Des Moines, Iowa to study secretarial skills and business at the Secretarial Business School at A.I.B. After graduating from business school, she took a job in Kansas City, working in the oil and gas industry. This industry took her to a job in Denver where she resided for most of her life.
While working in the Oil industry, Mary Jo became acquainted with Bill Daniels, and she ultimately ended up being his executive assistant. At that time, Mr. Daniels purchased an ABA franchise basketball team, the Utah Stars and Mary Jo became the executive assistant for the team and Mr. Daniels in Salt Lake City, Utah. This is where she met her future husband, Vince Boryla. Mary Jo returned to Denver in the mid 1980’s working for Vince and the Denver Nuggets as the administrative assistant to the President and General Manager of the team.
Mary Jo and Vince were married on October 17, 1989, after the passing of his first beloved wife, Catherine (Cappie). They were married for 26 years, before Vince passed away in 2016.
Vince and Mary Jo lived a life of philanthropy and giving to others. After they were married, Mary Jo and Vince were generous benefactors to many organizations such as Regis University, where she served on the board of trustees from 1999 until 2009. She was also very involved in Mount Saint Vincent Children’s Home and School, and the Haven of Hope projects for the less fortunate and the unhoused friends of Denver. In addition, Mary Jo was a big supporter of Christ in the City, and the Samaritan House of Denver. She also gave generously to many other causes.
She was a warm and loving person, and never knew a stranger. Mary Jo showed a special kindness to everyone she encountered, and she cherished her relationships with her friends and family. She instantly embraced all of Vince’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and became a mom and grandma to all. Her family will dearly miss her loving and caring ways.
Mary Jo was preceded in death by her parents, Eva and Jerald Stanbrough. Also by her sister, Jerrie Ann Stanbrough Henry and her husband, Vincent J. Boryla. She is survived by her stepchildren Karen (Bob) Toof, Michael (Ann) Boryla, Mark (GiGi) Boryla, Matt (Rosa) Boryla, and Vinnie (Julie Ratterman) Boryla. She is also survived by fourteen grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Colorado Hospice and Stacy Kelly for the wonderful and compassionate care that Mary Jo received in her final days.
