Sonia Bordes, history department administrative assistant, died last Friday, Nov. 1, following lung cancer complications.

Bordes was an assistant in the department of history at Loyola.

Patricia Boyett, history professor, said she believes Bordes welcomed her to the department.

“During one of the first social events I attended on campus, she made a point of introducing me to several people and of sitting next to me to insure that I felt included and welcome,” Boyett said.

She said believes that the history department has lost an asset with the death of Bordes.

“She ran the office with impressive efficiency and warmth and treated everyone with respect. I admired her dignity, her strong work ethic, and her generous spirit. She is deeply missed by anyone who had the privilege of knowing her,” Boyett said.

An obituary that ran in Lake Lawn Funeral Home and Cemeteries said Bordes was a volunteer at many organizations including Children’s Hospital Miracle League, the Mahalia Jackson Theater and St. Benilde Cleaning Committee, Adoration Chapel and Bereavement Group.

The funeral took place at Holy Name of Jesus Church on Monday, Nov. 4 at 11 a.m. The family asks the community to make donations to the The Miracle League of Greater New Orleans instead of sending flowers.

She was survived by her husband Robert Bordes; daughter, Lauren Bordes; son, Brad Bordes, nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

Lucy Dieckhaus can be reached at [email protected] 

Correction 11/8/13: In the print edition of this story, “Johnson” was incorrectly printed as the assistant in the department of history at Loyola.