Margarite Conner Bourque
August 1, 1938 - June 15, 2026
KAPLAN — Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at a 1 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of the most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Kaplan, LA honoring the life of Margarite Conner Bourque, 87, who was called home on June 15, 2026 at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.
Fr. Mikel A. Polson will officiate the Mass and conduct the funeral services.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. in Holy Rosary Catholic Church. A Rosary will be prayed on Thursday at 12 noon in the church.
Interment services will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Pecan Island, Louisiana. Honored to serve as pallbearers are: Joshua Bourque, Luke Harrington, Kyle Bourque, Jonathon Bourque, Kale Scheuermann, and Trent Menard.
Margarite Conner Bourque was born on August 1, 1938 to Alga Conner and Mayvel Veazey Conner. She was born and raised in Pecan Island, LA. At the young age of 15, Margarite left her childhood home and married Leonard Bourque, Sr. He was the love of her life. Anyone who took the time to listen to her talk about him and their past adventures could feel the love that she had for him. It was evident in the way she spoke of him to all who were willing to pull up a chair and listen. Together, they raised 7 children: Barron, Rhonda, Richard, Leonard Jr., Phillip, Stephanie, and Malcom.
For twenty years, Margarite and Leonard owned Pecan Island Food Store. On any given day, one could find her behind the register, greeting fishermen, hunters, members of her community, and strangers, who were just passing through. During these years she was dedicated to serving her community and took pride in offering some of the best products and services to such a rural area.
After retirement, she and her husband, Len, found great pleasure in traveling. She often spoke of the memories they made while traveling from as close as their local camping club to as far as Mexico. If the walls of that motorhome could talk, oh what stories it could tell. A time filled with sharing a love of the outdoors, cooking and entertaining, a competitive game of cards, but most of all, fellowship!
Margarite was a lady of many talents. In her 87 years, she was known for sewing, quilting, painting, baking, tag teaming any woodwork project that her husband had envisioned, but the most cherished talent of all was the homemade Christmas gifts that she would create for her children and grandchildren each year. Over the years, she has gifted homemade quilts, baby blankets and bonnets, wooden clocks, Christmas ornaments, homemade coasters, embroidered pillow cases, diamond art pictures, pot holders, dish warmers, and sun catchers, to name a few. Homemade gifts made with love are the ones that will be cherished and missed most of all by those who were blessed to receive them!
She had sixteen grandchildren! As each of her grandchildren got married, they would receive a king size quilt as a wedding gift. She made sure to stay busy and work ahead so that the tradition would continue for each one of them to receive such a special gift from her. So much love was stitched into each patchwork square. Each piece told a story, but the story wasn’t just in the fabric; it was in the making. Who cut the squares? Who dedicated the time stitching them together? Who the quilt was meant to warm? That’s who Margarite was! If you received a gift from her, it was well thought out and gifted from her heart.
In years past, Sundays were known for having family gathered around her dining room table to enjoy a feast that she had prepared for those that she loved most. The sounds of spoons scratching Magnolite pots filled with pot roast and fresh veggies, followed by homemade tarts and lemon cream pies made those who were blessed to attend, appreciative for her time devoted in her kitchen.
Later in life, Margarite made the decision to return to school and get her diploma. Education was important to her and she instilled this in her children and grandchildren. What better way to practice what she preached than to receive her diploma in her forties, proving that one is never too old to achieve a goal that is worthy and holds importance to them, all while unveiling her perseverance and GRIT! Once she made up her mind to do something, there was no one that was going to change it! A character trait that most envy from a strong, independent woman!
Margarite was a devout servant of the Catholic faith and all that it entailed. She could be found leading the rosary before mass, hosting a prayer group, or attending daily mass. She was a member of The Ladies Altar Society in Pecan Island and The Catholic Daughters in Kaplan, LA where she devoted her time to supporting her church and its congregation. Any of her grandchildren will tell you that having the priest over for dinner was the norm and if you slept over, you could be found kneeling bedside reciting the rosary before bed, or if you were traveling home from any road trip with them, Mother Mary led us home. She was a woman of faith and even through the loss of a child, her husband, a grandchild, and a great grandchild, her faith never wavered.
In September 2005, the devastating Hurricane Rita caused Margarite and her husband to leave Pecan Island and relocate to Kaplan, LA. Here Margarite found the camaraderie of community within her church and began to establish roots; however, Pecan Island always had her heart.
Margarite is survived by her 6 children: Barron Bourque (Lenez), Rhonda Bourque Harrington (Brent), Richard Bourque (Joanie), Leonard Bourque, Jr. (Lisa), Stephanie Bourque Scheuermann (Karl), and Malcom Bourque (Carolyn). 16 grandchildren: Richelle Bourque Marceaux (Gabe), Lana Harrington Menard (Trent), Joshua Bourque, Ashley Bourque Waguespack (Mike), Luke Harrington (Ashley), Jaimee Bourque Romero (Jacob), Krystle Harrington Hood (Jayson), Leah Bourque, Julie Bourque Deal (Bo), Kyle Bourque (Sally), Jonathon Bourque, Kale Scheuermann, Mary Beth Bourque Baudoin (Kyle), Aimee Bourque, and Callie Scheurmann, 37 great grandchildren, 5 great, great grandchildren, her furbaby Marli, and her sister Shirley Lege.
She was preceded in death by her husband Leonard Bourque, Sr., her parents Alga Conner and Mayvel Veazey Conner, her son Phillip Bourque, her grandson Douglas Bourque, her great granddaughter Addyson Bertrand, her brothers Wallace Conner and Robert (T-Bob) Conner, and sister Mary Ena Conner LeMaire.
Margarite’s faith filled spirit will be missed by all who were blessed to be known and loved by her. She has loved us our whole life and we will miss her the rest of ours.
Her family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the medical staff of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette, LA. Through her hardest days, they showed her and her family continuous love, support, and compassion.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Cypress Funeral Home & Crematory, 206 W. Lafayette St., Maurice, LA 70555.