Bordenave is named a Woman of Wisdom

When it comes to giving back to the community, there are many reasons why Kathleen Bordenave was chosen to be honored as a recipient of the 2019 Woman of Wisdom lifetime achievement award. After all, Kathleen has worked tirelessly to make Sandpoint a better place and has indeed been successful.

Kathleen’s roots are strong in the community as her great-grandparents homesteaded here and her father was raised here. Kathleen was in Sandpoint intermittently until settling here permanently when her son was 11 years old. And it certainly did not take long for Kathleen to become an active member of the community as both a volunteer and business owner.

Kathleen held a variety of positions that included being a nanny as well as working for Serac and Sneaky Tees before opening her own business, Bearweare, in Downtown Sandpoint. In addition to operating the retail part of the store, Kathleen also generated sales through her textile design, screen printing and embroidery business. She also shared her business knowledge with others as she guided new and existing business owners on the most effective way to market their own businesses.

Kathleen’s daughter, Tiffany, said she witnessed her mom work unlimited hours at her store while still managing to volunteer her time and talent and work to help others to improve the community.

Kathleen was the executive director of the Downtown Sandpoint Business Association and blessed the community with her unique and creative ideas to improve the downtown area. Some of the projects in which Kathleen has been instrumental include the flower baskets that adorn our streets, Art Walk, Winter Carnival, Oktoberfest, Mardi Gras, and she was a member of the Sandpoint Arts Commission. Her volunteer efforts also included the Festival at Sandpoint, Lost in the ‘50s, Holly Eve, The Follies and the Wooden Boat Show. It never mattered whether the tasks were paid or unpaid, because the fulfillment and joy of others was all that Kathleen has ever needed.

Carolyn Gleason, the organizer and founder of Lost in the ‘50s, wrote in her nomination letter, “You can always count on Kathleen for almost anything, and you’ll enjoy yourself because she is a part of it. She has not been without her own health issues…but her glass is half full, never half empty.”

Children have always been important to Kathleen, and she managed to be involved in her own children’s schools while they were growing up as well as mentoring other students whenever needed.

Kathleen’s friend, Barb Merritt, summed it up best when she said, “Kathleen is a woman who loves this community and has given years to supporting the place she calls home.”

In addition to Kathleen Bordenave, the other Women of Wisdom 2019 honorees include Debbie Ferguson, Marilyn Robertson, Mary Jo Ambrosiani, Mary Stevens, and Teri Nickisch.

This year’s Women of Wisdom Gala will take place on Saturday, May 11, beginning at 11am with a welcome reception followed by a luncheon and program from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the The Ponderay Events Center.

To be nominated for Woman of Wisdom, candidates must be 65 years or older. She possesses vision and achieves goals through collaboration. She exhibits a love of learning through the pursuit of knowledge by study or experience. She shows a commitment to the Bonner County community and its members, and has had a positive impact, such as in the areas of art, music, theatre, dance, sports, education and service. She demonstrates dedicated leadership that results in admiration and respect from others. She is an inspiration to others and an example for future generations of women. She faces life’s challenges with grace and courage, and lives with dignity, integrity and honor.

The 2019 Women Honoring Women committee members are: Kari Saccomanno, chair; Diane Arrants, Robin Bianco, Kathy Chambers, Kathy Conger, Barbara Eacret, Deanna Harris, Alana Hatcher, Patty Hutchens, Julie Jurenka, Kendall Lang, Pat Lewis, Debbie Love, Sally Lowry, Leslie Marshall, Jeralyn Mire, Marlene Rorke, Sandy Ross, Marilyn Sabella, Tina Sleyster, Sally Transue and Linda VanDellen.