Jill Borden

On the afternoon of Sunday. March 16, 2025 at Park Place Care Center in Great Falls , Montana, the Reverend Jill Borden passed from this life. Jill was the daughter of John Borden , a Chicago business man, investor, and adventurer, and Frances Yeaton , a young daughter of an Iowa mayor , who met at a Michigan resort and shortly afterwards were married in July of 1933. It was John's third marriage and Fances' first. On August 13, 1944 in Grand Rapids, Michigan , Jill was born as the third of four children in this marriage. She spent most of her childhood at their cabin in Spring Lake, Michigan constantly reading her books in her secret hiding spots, frolicking in the surrounding wilderness, or visiting her favorite neighbors just down the road from her home.

At the age of 14, Jill was married off to a man in his mid- twenties. A year later she was turned away from her school as she was now pregnant with her first child. Shortly thereafter two more children were born, two boys and one girl. Then, in a little over a decade, Jill divorced her husband making her a very young , single mother with three kids ,which was extremely difficult in the 1970s. She applied and was accepted into a community college and after eight years , received her four-year degree. Then in 1982 Jill met a man with two daughters at a conference. After a brief courtship, they married, moved to Phoenix, Arizona, and created a blended family of five kids. During this period in her life Jill began working with the homeless, refugee , and veterans communities. Her compassion for the down and out and passion for justice began to grow .1977 Jill headed the Link Project which sought to simplify the transition for Vietnamese and Cambodians Boat People fleeing war able to become productive American citizens . It was sighted as the best program of its kind in America and was documented by Charles Kuralt on his Sunday Morning show. As Jill was an excellent writer, she was called upon to develop a manual for workers to read and use as they served these disenfranchised communities. While working with people at risk, Jill came under the spiritual mentorship a beloved nun. She joined an evangelical church and began to be aware of her call to serve the marginalized ,forgotten, and oppressed. In 1993 Jill entered The Pacific School of Religion located in Berkeley, California. While there she was chosen to do her practicum at Albany United Methodist Church, which was both a Reconciling Church and a Peace with Justice Congregation. Her calling and leadership abilities were quickly recognized and encouraged. Finally , in 1996 Jill graduated seminary with a Masters of Divinity, ordained as a deacon , and was appointed to Denton UMC in Denton, Montana until 1999, and then was appointed to the Mission Valley Church , in St. Ignatius, Montana.

In 2001 Jill was ordained as an elder/ Presbyter in the United Methodist Church and continued serving until Health Issues made her seek a leave of absence. Jill retired in 2009. Her retirement was spent roaming the bison range and Mission Mountain area with her two beloved wheaten terriers. She also was a sitter for several elderly and chronically ill persons. With other women Jill created a local book club that was the joy of her social life. Her final faith journey was assisted and strengthened by the guidance of the nuns at St. Gertrude's Monastery in Cottonwood, Idaho.

Jill is Survived by an older sister, Courtney Cazden and a younger brother, Robert Border. She also leaves behind five children (Lisa Garduna,

Robert Rodgers, David Rodgers, Stephanie Flaherty, and Debbie Brooks) as well as nine grandchildren, three being granddaughters,( Autumn

Garduna, Clarissa Flarherty, and Amy Brooks) and six being grandsons ( Eric Garduna, Jason Rodger, Adam Rodger, Tyler Flaherty, and Brandon Brooks.) Finally, Jill lived to see her 13 great-grandchildren. We would be remiss to leave out her beloved four-footed family members too there is B.C. , Jill's wonderful, longhaired rescue cat; and her unforgettable two wheaten terriers , Little Bears and Cooper , who preceded Jill in death but eternally remain ever near in her heart.

In lieu of flowers , please consider these following charitable organization: 1) Mission Valley UCM, 2) St Ignatius Mission R.C. Church, 3) CSKT Bison Range, 4) St. Gertrude's Monastery, Cottonwood, Idaho 5) YWCA , Missoula, 6) AniMeals of Missoula, 7) American Heart Association.

Jills' Celebration of Life will be held 1:30 pm Saturday, May 17, 2025 at St. Ignatius Mission Church in St. Ignatius, Mt. with Fr. Victor Cancino presiding. All are welcome to come and celebrate God's gracious gift to us as witnessed in the life and ministry of the Rev. Jill Borden.

Lastly a big "Thank You" to the several friends who made this celebration possible!