Judy Mae Borello

Judith M. Nolan was born at Mount Zion Hospital in San Francisco May 15, 1943. She grew up in the Castro and attended Most Holy Redeemer Grammar School and spent many a day hanging out at Eureka Valley Gym and playground never missing a dance. She then attended St. Paul’s High School when it was discovered that she was suffering from macular degeneration which rendered her legally blind. Despite her blindness she was fearless in her future endeavors.

Judy moved to Point Reyes in 1965 and opened the Old Western Saloon in 1972. This year is her 50th Anniversary! She treated her employees like family and cherished a good story from her patrons. Over the years, the DMV gave allowance for her to drive a golf cart strictly to and from her house to her bar. Many a resident saw her driving past in her red Rolls Royce golf cart she proudly named The Flying Lady. Anyone who knew Judy understood she was a character, with a sharp wit and an artistic flair. Her friends describe her as eclectic, humorous and intuitive. Judy welcomed everyone into her heart. Her family would say that she was determined, passionate and loving.

Judy was beloved by her community and volunteered much of her time to helping her fellow friends and ranching community. She wrote a weekly news article named MooTown News in the local Coastal Post for over 10 years. She was President of the Point Reyes Business Association and Secretary of Farm Bureau.  She also wrote songs and flew to Nashville to press a country record, called Moo Town Records. One of her greatest achievements was her poem that she dedicated in 1987 of the Golden Gate Bridge. She had many friends spanning both sides of her beloved Golden Gate Bridge. This poem became bronzed and displayed at Marin Point gazing across the bridge and will be a long-lasting tribute to her. For us, locally, we will continue to hear her Point Reyes Moo Clock sound daily along main street at both noon and six.

Despite her various afflictions in life such as blindness, an aneurysm, stroke and a broken hip, I quote her, “No matter what life deals you, accept it with positive grace, challenge it and for God’s sake, follow your dreams!”

Now known as “Judy,” she died peacefully in an assisted living facility in Novato on May 3, 2022. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Borello who passed in 1992. She is survived by her son, Thor Spargo and daughter, Michele Hawley-Pelton. Her son in law Ted Pelton. Thor’s children, Stephen and Jennifer Spargo. She had many friends spanning both sides of her beloved Golden Gate Bridge.

There will be a Celebration of Life for her on Aug. 7th, 2022 at the Old Western Saloon in Point Reyes.

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