Posted July 25, 2019

Sister Marie Monica Borden, O.S.F., died May 22 in her home in Pendleton, Oregon at age 84. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 60 years.

She was born in Yakima, Washington and at the time of her entrance into the congregation in 1957 was a member of St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Benton City, Washington. She professed her first vows in 1959.

Sister Marie Monica earned a B.A. in education from Marylhurst College in Portland, Oregon in 1962, an M.A. in counseling from the University of Oregon in 1972 and an M.A. in private school administration from the University of San Francisco in 1982. She ministered primarily in education, congregational ministry and health care.

Sister Monica’s work in religious formation took her to the congregation’s motherhouse in Aston; to Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico; and to Our Lady of Angels Provincial House in Portland. Additional ministry in the Diocese of Portland include serving as principal at St. John XXIII School.

She ministered mostly in the dioceses of Spokane, Baker, San Diego, San Bernardino and Cheyenne.
The funeral Mass was celebrated June 4 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pendleton, Oregon, with burial following at Olney Cemetery in Pendleton.

Sister Monica is survived by her sisters, Catherine Finley, Agnes Daucey and Theresa Borden, by her nieces and nephews and by her Franciscan family.

Donations in her name can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.