Sister Marie Bordages,O.P.

Sr. Marie Bordages, O.P. (Therese Catherine) entered eternal life on Thursday, August 6, 2026. Sr. Marie was born in Beaumont, TX, November 15, 1925, to the late James Dennis “Dennie” and Marie Bonnemaison Bordages. She was preceded in death by her brothers J.D. (Jr.), Phillip, Msgr. Martin, William (Bill), I.R. (Buddy), Patrick, and Walter Bordages, and her sisters Sr. Denise Bordages and Sr. Raphael Bordages, both of the Dominican Sisters of Houston. She is survived by her sisters Sr. Emily Bordages and Sr. Francis Marie Bordages, both of the Dominican Sisters of Houston, and Loretta Gary. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, and other extended family members.

Sr. Marie was valedictorian of the 1943 graduation class at St. Anthony’s High School in Beaumont, TX. Following graduation, Sr. Marie entered the Dominican Sisters of Houston. She earned a B.A. in Education with minors in both Chemistry and History at San Diego College for Women, San Diego, CA. She completed extended studies in Mathematics and Education at the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH; and Reading Development through the Texas Association of Reading at Stephen F. Austin College, Nacogdoches, TX. She studied Ministry Formation and obtained certification in Spirituality through the offices of the Diocese of Beaumont. Upon retirement, she continued her studies in Spirituality at the Holy Family Retreat Center, Beaumont, TX.

Sr. Marie served in education ministry at Sacred Heart School, Houston; St. Ann School, Nacogdoches, TX; Christ the King School, Houston; St. Francis De Sales School, Riverside, CA; Holy Rosary School, San Bernadino, CA; St. Christopher School, Houston; Assumption School, Houston; St. Mary School, Orange, TX; St. Patrick School, Lufkin, TX; Assumption School, Beaumont, TX; Sr. Thea Bowman Academy, Port Arthur, TX; and St. Anthony School, Beaumont, TX. Her congregational service included her ministry as a driver, Villa receptionist, and summer camp volunteer at the School of Environmental Education and Dominican Sisters Camp.

Sr. Marie was a creative teacher. She was awarded “Teacher of the Year” at St. Patrick School in Lufkin and at Thea Bowman Academy in Port Arthur. She also earned accolades as the legendary creator and distributor of St. Dominic’s Orange Marmalade, made from orange trees on the motherhouse grounds. These trees were reputed to be descendants of orange trees planted by St. Dominic at Santa Sabina in Rome. Her recipe for proper English marmalade dates back to a 1663 recipe used by the wife of Samuel Pepys, the famous London diarist.

Besides being the “Marmalade Queen,” Sr. Marie was also an avid gardener and sports fan. She will be remembered as a strong, resilient woman whose competence and character contributed greatly to her ministry. Her students especially remember her for her patience and her strong faith.

Sister’s body will be welcomed at 4 p.m., and the vigil service will be at 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at St. Dominic Villa Chapel, 6504 Almeda Rd. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Daniel L. Warden on Friday, August 14, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Dominic Villa Chapel. Burial is at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, at 1 p.m. In lieu of the usual remembrances, donations may be made to Dominican Sisters of Houston, 6501 Almeda Road, Houston, TX, 77021.

To watch the livestream for the vigil at 6 p.m. on August 13 click the following link. https://youtube.com/live/H2RaOfauYOs?feature=share

To watch the live stream for the Mass of Christian Burial, at 10:30 a.m. on August 14, follow this link. https://youtube.com/live/420BvrF9EWg?feature=share