Gem Bordages, 79, of Galveston, died Monday, March 30, 2015, at her home.  She was born on June 26, 1935, in Nacogdoches, to Vera Price and John Cullen Browning.  Gem spent her early childhood in Hemphill, but later moved to Orange with her family to help run the Orange Leader.

After graduation from Stark High School and time spent in college, she would go on to write for the East Texas News in Buna.

Gem’s “Atticus Finch” Phillip Bordages came along and they married in 1970. Although they only spent a few years together their love would last the rest of her life. 

Her memory will remain in those she left behind: children, Cullen Bordages, of Vidor; Laura Freuden, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Thomas Bordages and his wife, Francy, of Denver, Colorado; and Claire Bordages, of Galveston; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and brothers, Travis Browning and Steven Browning.

Gem is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Phillip Bordages; brother, Thomas Naron; sister, Louise Cook;  and daughter-in-law, Becky Bordages.

A Rosary will be recited for Mrs. Bordages at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 34th and Avenue K, Galveston. A Memorial Mass will follow at 2:00 p.m., at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Galveston, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt sense of gratitude to Gem’s caregivers, Mary, Pat, and her dear friend, Ray Brown, for all the selfless acts over the last few years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sunshine Center, Inc, 1726 21st Street, Galveston, Texas 77550.