We Say Goodbye to Sr. Marion Irvine

October 19, 1929—August 30, 2025

Sister Marion Irvine, OP (formerly Sr. M. Bonaventure), a Dominican Sister of San Rafael for 76 years, died peacefully on August 30, 2025, at the Dominican Convent in San Rafael, surrounded by her family and her Dominican Sisters. Whether in Catholic education, at the finish line of her next race, or in the midst of an injustice in need of a voice, Sr. Marion will be remembered for her wisdom and leadership combined with a deep sense of service, faith, and sharp wit. Through her actions, presence, and example, she touched countless lives and communities.

A second-generation San Franciscan, Marion was born October 19, 1929, to Walter A. and Mabel (Keane) Irvine. She was raised on the city’s west side with her two brothers, Walter Jr. and John, and attended St. Cecilia’s Grammar School. Following in her mother’s Dominican footsteps, Mabel graduated from Dominican Upper School in 1910. Marion was educated at St. Rose Academy, a Dominican high school for girls in San Francisco.

Inspired by the Sisters who taught her, Marion entered the novitiate at 17 and received the habit in 1948, becoming Sister M. Bonaventure. She went on to a 47-year ministry in Catholic education, also earning a BS in biological sciences from Dominican College, a secondary teaching credential, a master’s in education, and an administrative services credential.

Sr. Marion had a deep love for literature and loved being a teacher, teaching English, math, religion, and science. Honing her voice and leadership skills, she went on to serve as an administrator and principal at several Dominican schools. She also served five years as Assistant Superintendent for Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Santa Rosa and six years as School Supervisor for her congregation, a role she especially cherished for the chance to visit Sisters in their classrooms and convents.

At age 48, encouraged by a niece to improve her health, Sr. Marion began jogging—and quickly discovered her natural gift as a runner. In her 50s, she rose to international fame as an elite masters runner, earning the nicknames The Flying Nun and The Running Nun. From 1981 to 1992, she broke numerous world and American age-group records, won five gold medals at the 1989 World Masters Championships, and in 1983 ran a 2:51:01 marathon—then a world record in her division—becoming, at 54, the oldest athlete to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials. She appeared on national television, was the subject of the documentary Silver into Gold (1987), and was inducted into both the Road Runners Club of America and the USATF Masters Track & Field Halls of Fame.

Her commitment to justice was as strong as her love of running. After nearly five decades in education, Sr. Marion became Justice Promoter for her congregation, a new ministry she described as “challenging, exciting, and rewarding.” She came to see the Gospel as a social justice document, and her leadership animated the Sisters’ corporate stances on issues such as the Iraq War, the death penalty, and immigration. She vigilantly opposed executions at San Quentin, advocated against human trafficking, protested ICE raids, and worked for nuclear disarmament through civil disobedience—being arrested more than a dozen times at the gates of the Lawrence Livermore Lab. She also helped establish the Sisters’ Jail Ministry, ensuring incarcerated women were visited weekly.

While a running injury curtailed her racing career, Sr. Marion continued to run, bike, swim, and walk well into her 90s, inspiring fellow athletes, mentoring young runners, and speaking widely. She was a beloved presence in her neighborhoods around Marin, where her daily walks became a source of joy and encouragement to others.

Residing at Dominican Convent in recent years, she remained a passionate supporter of Dominican University women’s basketball, cheering loudly from her dedicated seat with her signature “Whose House?” chant.

Sr. Marion embodied a life of action. Reflecting on her running career in 1985, she said: “It is difficult, but it is extraordinary. Each day, I thank God for having given me this opportunity. I will run as long as I can and as long as my legs will carry me.” Her legs, heart, and voice carried her far—through a lifetime of faith, justice, teaching, and inspiration.

She is predeceased by her parents, Mabel and Walter Irvine, and her brothers Walter Jr. and John. She is survived by her nieces and nephews, countless great-grandnieces and nephews, generations of students, athletes, colleagues, friends, and by her Dominican Sisters.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 2:30 pm in the Conlan Center at Dominican University of California (1475 Grand Ave., San Rafael). Burial will follow at St. Dominic’s Cemetery in Benicia on Monday, September 22, at 10 am.

Memorial gifts in Sr. Marion’s honor may be made to the Retirement Fund, Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, Advancement Office, 1520 Grand Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901, or online.

Ministry:

St. Raphael School, San Rafael (Teacher)
St. Vincent Ferrer High School, Vallejo (Teacher, Principal)
Junipero Memorial High School, Monterey (Teacher, Principal)
St. Mary’s High School, Stockton (Teacher)
Sacred Heart School, SF (Principal)
Justin-Siena High School, Napa (Principal)
Santa Rosa Diocese Department of Catholic Schools (Assistant Superintendent)
Dominican Sisters of San Rafael (Coordinator of Education, Promoter of Social Justice, Jail Ministry Coordinator)

Awards/Achievements (partial list)

1981; She won the “veteran’s division,” or women’s 50-59 age group, at the 1981 Boston Marathon with a time of 3:11.00
1983; Completed a marathon in Sacramento, Calif., in 2 hours, 51 minutes, and 1 second, good enough to qualify her for the Olympic trials. Though she failed to make the United States team (Olympic gold medal winner Joan Benoit won the trials in 2:31:4), Sister Marion’s efforts earned her national recognition.
1984; 2:51 qualifier for the U.S. Olympic Trials, and a place in running history as the oldest athlete ever to qualify for and compete in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials
1987; Featured in an Oscar-nominated documentary film, Silver into Gold.
1987-88; NCEA Distinguished Principal Award (Sacred Heart School, SF)
1989; 5-time Gold Medalist at the World Veteran Games (now known as the World Masters Games), held in Eugene, Oregon
1990; Pacific Association of the Athletic Congress Long Distance Award
1994; Road Runners Club of America Hall of Fame Inductee
1998; USATF Masters Track & Field Hall of Fame, Inductee
2007; Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award, Marin County Human Rights Commission
2008; Dominican Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee
2009; Marin Women’s Hall of Fame
2010; WAVE Awards Honoree
2013; Marin Interfaith Council Visionary Marin Honoree

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