Our Beloved Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, and Friend, Bernadette "Bernie" Borges of Kailua passed on September 10, 2020 surrounded by the love of her family. Born June 7, 1940 to Agnes McCabe and Samuel Vincent Kilaukea Hipa in Honolulu, Hawai'i, Bernie attended Sacred Hearts Convent and graduated from St. Francis School for Girls in 1958. In 1968 she married Michael A. Borges and although life led them down separate paths, they remained close friends. Bernie loved to travel and throughout her life she saw the world. She was a retired Honolulu police dispatcher with 27 years of service and in her retirement opened Bernie's restaurant in Kailua, taught Sunday school and headed the bereavement committee at St. Anthony's Church in Kailua until 2020. Bernie's strength, faith in God, loving spirit and amazing cooking raised six children, spoiled all her grandchildren, cared for and supported many family members and friends. She was a strong, beautiful woman whose faith in God and love of her family was a testament to Philippians 4:13 – "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Preceded in death by her son Michael A. Borges (Frances Sutton); brothers: Ignatius (Jacque), Herman, Vincent (Jackie), Michael S. Hipa; and sisters: Mary Ann J. Hipa, Margaret (John) Peters, Veronica (Edgar) Pratt.
Bernie is survived by her children: Rita (James) Kalaukoa, Patricia Mahina (Duane) Miyashiro, George Borges, Thomas Borges (Alycia Libre), Kapi'olani Borges (Kainoa Kamanu), Anthony (Malia) Peters; grandchildren: Michael-Allen "Kekoa"; Deven-Andrew; Cameron Anthony, Taylor-Ann, and La'akea; brother Benjamin Hipa; former spouse Michael Borges, and many, many nieces, nephews, and hanai grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life mass will be held on Friday, September 10, 2021 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Kailua.
To contact family please call 619-630-0016.
