Emilie C. Boris

Emilie C. Boris
By Robert Boris, her son

Artist, garden enthusiast, business executive, and an active member in local events and civic projects, Emilie Constance Boris had, throughout her life, been a vibrant, gracious and welcome part of a large circle of dear friends and close associates.

Emilie Boris, although widely recognized in the Greater Boston area for her business career and many social activities, was foremost a dedicated wife and the much-loved mother of two sons. Mrs. Boris enjoyed life in many ways, through a variety of exciting careers and pursuits.

Emilie Boris most recently made her home on Lake Gracie in Eustis, FL and was 92 years old at her death.

Emilie Constance Boris was born on November 27, 1918, Salem, Massachusetts, the daughter of Marcel and Frances Czajkowski. Her father was an industrial tool inventor for Beverly, MA machine maker, USM Corp. Emilie’s marriage to Stanley H. Boris in 1935 begun a close and devoted relationship lasting nearly 50 years until Stan’s death in 1985.

Mrs. Boris leaves two sons, Stanley Emil Boris, of Lynn, MA and Robert Elliot Boris, of Eustis, FL., a daughter in law, Marianne, of Lynn, MA and a granddaughter, Elizabeth, of Salem, MA.

The definition of a “dynamic personality,” Emilie Boris mastered many skills through her life and used them successfully in a succession of challenging and often “land breaking” endeavors. Mrs. Boris had succeeded more than once to be the pioneer in male dominated businesses. Frequently as president or vice-president, Emilie Boris showed that women could not only be as proficient as men, but in many ways could direct businesses to even greater heights.

Among an impressive number of business achievements, Mrs. Boris was Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for several major New England real estate companies including Realty Construction and Engineering and En-De-Con Corporation, and was responsible for the media advertising and sales of more than 1,000 new homes built by her companies from 1954-1972. Emilie Boris was a familiar name in Boston during the 1960’s and ‘70’s. Among her many accomplishments, Emilie Boris was a Boston radio interviewer on WCRB FM, and, with husband, Stan, owned and operated the popular Conway, New Hampshire resort hotel, The Presidential Inn.

Developing her business skills early, at 13, Emilie clerked at Bessie’s Dress Shop on Essex Street in Salem and occasionally went with the owner on train junkets to New York to buy clothes and attend fashion shows. She became an excellent baker not long after she met Stan Boris, who, together, opened a bakery in Chelsea. They married soon after and their popular business grew and expanded to Salem, where they eventually made their home. The couple created Pantry Shelf Foods, makers of apple, blueberry and raspberry turnovers, distributed throughout New England for a time to hotels and restaurants.

Hardly absent from her home, Emilie Boris always found time for her family as well as her very many hobbies and pursuits.

Her undertakings were often a surprise and delight to many, even those who seemed to know her well. One little known fact was that as a young woman, Emilie Boris shuttled planes for the U.S. Air Corps and later served as an officer in the Civil Air Patrol, America’s Air Force Auxiliary. She was rated for more than ten different aircraft!

But, Emilie was better known as a gourmet cook, Master Gardener, exhibited watercolorist, sculptor, pianist, avid reader and writer. No one made a better Beef Stroganoff of baked a better Babka.

Emilie Boris seemed to excel in everything she touched but never let her talents overwhelm an ever-gracious Yankee modesty and cordiality. Emilie Boris made and kept a large circle of friends from all around the world. To know her was to love her.

Most recently, in Eustis, Emilie Boris had been active in local clubs and organizations including the area Arts and Women’s Associations. Emilie Boris was part of the development teams for several of the city’s local events including the weeks-long George Washington’s Birthday Festivals. Mrs. Boris helped create the Eustis branch of Tree City U.S.A., a national association of cities devoted to improve neighborhood and inner city landscapes.

Mrs. Boris spent her later years reading, tending to her plants and enjoying the company of her Irish Setters. Because of her devotion to mystery novels, cookbooks and history, and as no formal services are anticipated, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, well-wishers consider a donation in her name to the Eustis Memorial Library.