Maria Pinaula Borja

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Maria Santos Pinaula Borja, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, on August 17, 2024, at the age of 88. Maria was a cherished member of her family and community and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Maria was born in 1936 to Vincente and Consolacion Pinaula in Saipan, among the Northern Marianas Islands in Micronesia. She moved to Guam in her early adult years where she started her family and then eventually moved to Southern California in 1977 where her family continued to grow. In 2004 she and her husband moved to Georgia where her daughter Florencia's children moved in late 90’s. Shortly thereafter in 2005 her husband passed away from cancer.

Throughout her life, she was proud to spread love and faith, most passionately as a Techa (a significantly held position in the CHamoru community influenced by ancient CHamoro society who led people in prayer in Rosary or Novena) to help families overcome struggles and great losses. She was also proud to work for California State University - Long Beach, where she worked as a Housekeeper for almost 20 years. Here, she had worked with her closest friends. She touched the lives of countless individuals through her kindness and sharing of her love, culture, and faith. As the saying goes, she never met a stranger. She smiled and laughed a lot, enjoying and appreciating every day of her life.

She will be deeply missed by her children: Florencia Holbrook (Richard), Craig Borja (Karla), and Lana Borja Oquendo; her grandchildren: Yvonne Scahill (Chris), Celeste Aguon (Eloin), Sherina Buenaseda (Ringgo), Shelly Mesa (Jose), Jasmine Borja, Anthony Borja, Nick Borja, Ray-anna Borja, Didier Sanchez, Zoi Oquendo, Dominic Oquendo, Isaias Borja, and Ixchel Borja, and her unofficial grand-daughter Debbie Tenorio; her great-grandchildren: Patrick Aguon (Daisy), Jacob Aguon (Madeleine), Franky Buenaseda, Nico Santos, Phalyssa Brown, Alonso Aguilar, Carlie Santos, Carolina Aguilar, Jayna Brown, Jose Aguilar, Victoria Buenaseda, Estrella Aguilar, Xiomora Aguilar, Mina Scahill, Andrea Morales-Mesa, Joshua Morales-Mesa, and her great-great-grandchildren: Joseph Aguon, Leonell Aguon, Ciaro Aguon, Avani Ghadrdan, along with many of her siblings children and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her first husband Felipe Balatico Cadang, and her husband Ramon S. Borja, her children: Roque Cadang, Vicente Cadang, Patricia Pinaula Papakostas, her great-grandson: Baislee Ray Borja, her siblings: Dolores Pinaula Castro, Juan Pinaula, Mariano Pinaula, Tomasa “Bacha” Pinaula Rios, Leon Pinaula, Jose Pinaula, Marcelina Pinaula San Nicolas and Ana “Knight” Pinaula Acosta.

A Viewing and Funeral Service will be held on Monday, August 26, 2024, at the Roswell Funeral Home, located at 950 Mansell Road, Roswell, GA 30076. Family and friends are invited to gather at 1:00 – 4:00 PM and 6:00 – 8:00 PM to celebrate Maria Santos Pinaula Borja's life and pay their respects.

A Funeral Mass will also be held on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 1:00 PM at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church 4633 Shiloh Rd, Cumming, GA 30040 to celebrate the fruits of her life. A reception will follow at the home of Yvonne & Chris Scahill 3704 Meeting Street, Cumming, GA 30040. Maria will be laid to rest at Green Lawn Cemetery, Roswell, GA privately.

The Mass will also be live-streamed at https://bit.ly/STBBorja password: Borja (case sensitive)

If you would like to send flowers please contact “The best little flower shop in Roswell” (770) 642-7878 or visit https://www.bestlittleflowershop.com. Or in lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Maria’s memory to her beloved church “St. Brendan’s Catholic Church”. Donations can be sent to St. Brendan’s Catholic Church 4633 Shiloh Road, Cumming, GA 30040 or made online at https://www.stbrendansatl.com/how-do-i-donate-.

Maria's departure leaves a void in our hearts, but her legacy will forever be cherished. To offer your condolences and share cherished memories, please visit www.roswellfuneralhom