Borgia, the fourth child of William and Mary Borgia Peterson Buckler, was born Oct. 11, 1911, in Loretto, Ky. Her mother died only a few hours after the baby was born. Borgia’s maternal grandparents took her as their own and arranged for her baptism two days later. Her father married a second time and the family was increased to 13 half‑brothers and half‑sisters. Borgia attended St. Charles Elementary School. Her freshman and sophomore years were spent at St. Charles High School. Nazareth Academy in Nazareth was her home for her junior year. She came to Mount Joseph Academy for her senior year. After graduation, she entered the novitiate. The following March 19, 1928, Borgia received the Ursuline habit and the name Sister Jean Mark.
Sister Jean Mark prepared for an apostolate of teaching and in September 1930, she was missioned to St. Columba School in Louisville. Three years later, she was assigned to Calvary for three years. She then studied full time at Chestnut Hill, Pa., and at St. Mary of the Woods, Indiana, in preparation for teaching math, science and home economics in high school. Her experience in high school included Mount Saint Joseph Academy, St. Charles (on three separate occasions), St. Joseph (Owensboro), Flaherty, St. Frances, and New Haven, all in Kentucky; Nebraska City, Neb., and Blanco, N.M. She also served as supervisor of the Marion County Public Schools. After her retirement from public schools, she spent two years as diocesan consultant of the Catholic Schools of Springfield, Ill. She was an educational leader of great influence. The Marion County superintendent recognized her for “her wholesome influence and many worthwhile achievements while associated with the school system of Marion County.” From a superintendent in Nebraska, “You were first of all, all woman; secondly, you were all nun, thirdly, you were all teacher.”
Sister Jean Mark returned to Mount Saint Joseph as Director of Retirement in 1979. She developed a severe heart condition that she accepted with peaceful resignation, inspiring those around her. She entered eternal life on an Easter Sunday, April 3, 1983. Her cousin, Father Gerald Peterson, Home Missionary, and four other priests concelebrated the funeral Mass on April 5, followed by the burial service in the convent cemetery.