Birth date: Sep 1, 1943 Death date: Oct 6, 2021
Mary Frances Borgman-Gainer passed away October 6, 2021. Mary Frances was born on September 1, 1943, in Morgantown, WV to James W. Borgman and Helen Murphy Borgman. She grew up in Kingwood, WV and graduated from Kingwood High Scho Read Obituary
I interviewed with Mary Fran when coming to WVU in 1993! She was lovely, kind, and made me feel welcomed to the School of Nursing. She provided mentorship, colleagueship, & friendship with lots of fun in between too! Fly high & RIP Mary Fran! Sam
How hard it is to think of this world without Mary Frances in it!
We first met at Duquesne University in September 1961 when we gathered on the third floor of Assumption Hall to begin our college careers. My room was 311—I can’t remember the number of the room Mary Frances shared with Patti—and the three of us often moved from my room to theirs for all those things college freshmen do—study, chat, compare notes, and share goodies sent from home. I remember that we were happy and confident, worried and afraid; that we were regular college freshmen!
The years since our graduations on June 6, 1965, have witnessed how what we learned in undergraduate school transformed our separate lives, and, by extension, the world each of us has lived in. To say that Mary Frances lived in a world she enlarged by her ambition and her compassion would be an understatement. She never stopped growing and never stopped giving.
I am grateful to have known Mary Frances and privileged to call her Friend. Rest in Peace!
Carol Cantini, Monroeville, PA
I first met Mary Frances when I started WVU School of Nursing in 1975, where she was one of l my nursing professors. She became my mentor which has continued since then, guiding me through my master’s degree and my doctorate. It was through her that I began my career in neurosurgery when she recommended me for a position with Dr. Gainer. I still remember the day she asked me if I would be interested. It was after the kind of shift that I would have been interested in applying anywhere. Her timing, as always, was superb. Later, she was my dean and role model when I was a novice nursing professor. But, more importantly, over the years she has been my friend. I was always amazed at her energy—always ready and willing to help anyway necessary. One time she even took care of my dogs so I could make a trip home. She took the time and effort to organize holiday get-togethers, to keep traditions, and to strengthen connections. Every Christmas she made I don’t know how much fudge to take to the different nursing stations. All I know is, I delivered it and the supply seemed endless.
At this point, I mourn her passing—for our loss. But I am not sorry for her. She has moved on to much greater things.
What a full life of living! Prayers !!
