Margaret C. Bordessa

Margaret always felt 16. She believed in all her dreams and that all the possibilities life holds were alive and hers for the taking. She was the loving wife of John P. Bordessa, devoted mother of Michael (Cindy), Marilyn, Liz (Dave), and Elaine (Kim). Cherished Grandchildren, Brittany (Matt), Christina, Angelina (Daniel), Michael (Kate), Anthony, Marissa. Blessed Great Grandchildren Siena, Ada, Mia, and Clair. 

She could have been an Actress with her good looks and impeccable style. She could have been a Comedian with her witty remarks and sassy catch phrases. She could have been a Veterinarian, with the patience she used to nurse injured wildlife back to health. She was a Rancher. She moved to the Bordessa ranch on Lakeville Hwy in 1951, shortly after her marriage to John Bordessa. She cared for everyone, Grandparents, workers, livestock, and the home John built for them. She could have been a Biologist with her curiosity and love for creatures. She could have been a Geologist with her fascination for rocks, crystals, and how they came to form. She could have been a Nurse, as she shouldered responsibility to care for aging family members and children. She was a Mom to four children, Michael, Marilyn, Elizabeth and Elaine. She taught them to be strong, creative, caring and to be good people. She could have been a Chef, with a sense of food that brings people together. Whether with waffles at breakfast, sandwiches at lunch or a full coursed Italian meal at dinner, she drew people like gravity to her dinner table. She could have been a CEO or Writer, with her deep passions and ability to champion her causes. She was a co- Founder of the Lakeville Volunteer Fire Department with her husband John. She became the organization’s Secretary and was a big part of organizing the LVFD pancake breakfasts. As a Grant Writer she succeeded in securing donations and grant money used to purchase a needed fire truck. She held these roles for over two decades and participated on the LVFD board well into her later years. She could have been an Artist, with a keen eye for beauty and an amazing natural talent for fine art for crafts. She was a Conservator, helping Father Grasso restore pieces from the Tomales and Marshal Churches. She was a Seamstress. Self-taught she rose to become a local name in custom work. She was an award-winning Photographer who captured animals and her surroundings, turning everyday scenes into romantic pastoral landscapes. She was a Teacher. For years she taught sewing classes to 4H members. She created a learning atmosphere that not only taught sewing but gave her students a place to try new things and brave the latest scary movie they’d all watch during break time. She could have been an Archeologist with her passion for history, and the cleverness she used to look for historic relics in the dug up mounds, left by gophers. She shared her passion for history by teaching her grandchildren how to sift through those mounds to find long forgotten arrowheads. She and her daughter Marilyn built a replica teepee so her Grandchildren could understand and see what a slice of history looked and felt like. She could have been a Warrior, with her ability to push through dark times and strength to never give up. She was Brave, picking up snakes and creepy crawlers with ease. 

She lived her final years cared for by her daughter Marilyn and during the last two years of her life caregiver Saki. Her Children, Grandchildren, and Great Grandchildren visited her often and she delighted in spending time with them. She will be a Legend, for her one-of-a-kind sayings, stories and wit. She will also be remembered for her incredible kindness and big heart. Margaret was all these things and more, we will miss her in so many ways. We will hold her in our hearts always.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate her life on with a Vigil on Tuesday, August 12th 6:00 at Parent-Sorensen Mortuary & Crematory, 850 Keokuk St., Petaluma