Mary Irene Bourg

Mary Irene Bourg “Irene” passed away at her home in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania on July 22, 2023, at the age of 93. Born to Pierre Louis and Amy (Bearb) Thibodeaux, Irene lived most of her early life in Lafayette, Louisiana. There she was valedictorian of her high school class, and married Julius J. Bourg, the love of her life, with whom she parented three children.

Their life of 68 years together took them to Pineville, Louisiana, and subsequently to New Orleans, where she and Jules resided until they moved to Pennsylvania in 2009. While in New Orleans, Irene discovered another great love…the game of Tennis. The three decades she played competitively were some of her happiest and most fulfilling years, during which time she formed many wonderful and lasting friendships. A determined and tireless competitor, she managed her club challenge board with the same integrity, dedication to duty, and attention to detail with which she approached any endeavor. Other notables in her life were her love of fashion, reading, and music (Neil Diamond!), drinking Coke and eating desserts of every kind (“It’s a ‘sin’ to love sweets this much!”); and her devotion to the well-being of all her family and friends—and any other living creature.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents Pierre and Amy Thibodeaux; only sibling Louella LeBlanc; her beloved husband Jules; and her only son, Ted. Her survivors include daughters Julie (Danny) Pritchard, Edmond Oklahoma; Neysa (Sean) Fitzsimmons, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; cherished grandsons Sean Michael Fitzsimmons, Jordan Fitzsimmons, both of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and Ted Bourg, Jr. (Jessica), Ponchatoula, Louisiana; only great granddaughter Shelby Bourg; special niece Susan Guilbeau; caring friend Jackie Brock; and all other beloved family members and friends too numerous to name.

A private memorial service will be held for her by family members at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to her favorite charity, The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neillcamphill.com for Irene's family.