A memorial Mass for Sister Marjorie (Marge) Cordes was celebrated Aug. 2 at St. Joseph Chapel in O’Fallon. Sister Marge, a Sister of the Most precious Blood of O’Fallon, died July 23 at the age of 85.
Marjorie Irene Cordes was born in south St. Louis on May 26, 1939, the second of two daughters of Herman and Ursula (Janka) Cordes. She was baptized at St. Pius V Parish in St. Louis and attended grade school there.
Sister Marge met the Precious Blood Sisters when she attended Bishop DuBourg High School. She was received into the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood’s novitiate on July 25, 1958, and was given the name Sister Mary Mathias. She professed first vows on Aug. 10, 1960.
Sister Marge earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Fontbonne College in St. Louis and a master’s degree in science education at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.
Sister Marge taught elementary grades at Our Lady of Fatima in Florissant, St. John’s School in Uncasville, Connecticut, and Redwood School of the Precious Blood in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. She taught high school in Missouri at St. Henry in Charleston, St. John the Baptist and Bishop DuBourg in St. Louis, and St. Mary’s Academy in O’Fallon. At Bishop DuBourg, she also served as assistant principal.
Sister Marge ministered to her sisters as a member of the congregational leadership team and as the administrator and local coordinator of the sisters’ retirement center. In addition, she spent almost 10 years in ministry to the poor through St. Agatha Center in St. Louis.
Sister Marge brought a spirit of love and care to each of her ministries, students, her sisters and clients at St. Agatha. Her life was deeply rooted in prayer, and she relished opportunities for faith sharing.
Sister Marge was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Barb. She is survived by cousins and many friends. Sister Marge donated her body to science.
