Ruth Driscoll LeBourgeois, a homemaker, passed away on Monday, June 11, 2018 at the age of 92, after a lengthy decline in health and dementia. She was preceded in death by her late husband, Leo M. LeBourgeois, Sr. She is survived by her children: Marie L. Breerwood (Greg), Leo, Jr. (Jeanne), Johnny (Kim), and Larry (Lisa). She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and over 30 nieces and nephews. She truly had a most kind and gentle soul.
Ruth was the last surviving sibling of a large Irish Catholic Family and is preceded in death by her parents: John J. Driscoll and Feronie Frederic Driscoll, and siblings: Edward Driscoll (Noelie), Philip Driscoll (Janet), Mary D. Loisel (Paul), Fay D. App (Billy), Zoe D. Duke (John), Winnie D. Tinney (Harold), Irene Driscoll, Joe Driscoll (Nell), Tommy Driscoll (Gloria). Ruth also had three brothers that died as children/infants: John, Paul, and Robert Driscoll.
Ruth was born and grew up in Uptown New Orleans, graduating from St. Stephens Grammar School and Sophie Wright High School (Class of ’44). Ruth and Leo married in 1947. In 1958, Leo and Ruth took their family to Metairie. Ruth lived there the rest of her life within a one mile radius of Bonnabel and Veterans. She was active at St. Louis King of France, until the opening of St. Angela’s Parish that was started in the mid 1960’s. She was an active Founding Parishioner of the new Parish and held office in the St. Angela Ladies Auxiliary (SALA). She was on one of the original “Saturday Altar” Ladies Teams. Ruth and Leo were members of the “Wheel-N-Deal” Square Dance Club that was homed at St. Angela. They were also members of the spin off “Dixie Wheelers” Camping Club, which traveled to almost all the lower 48 States and Canada. Leo and Ruth were also one of the first 50 Charter Families to open Lakeside Country Club.
Some of Ruth and Leo's proudest achievements were to put all of their children through Catholic Schools and see all of their children graduate from college. They were also proud that all of them remain married to their high school sweethearts.
After becoming empty-nesters’, Leo and Ruth traveled much of the world, including all 50 States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Russia, Australia, and New Zealand. Being very religious, either with Leo or her fellow widowed siblings, she continued to travel. Ruth made pilgrimages to the Vatican, the Holy Lands, and Medjugorje.
After the passing of Leo, Ruth moved to the Whitney Condo’s close by to join her sisters and sisters-in-law in the “Driscoll Sorority”. These widows enjoyed trips, playing cards, drinking, camaraderie, and general freedom. Sadly, as each sibling passed and Ruth’s health declined, she moved to Serenity II Assisted Living facility (still within that mile). The owner (Diane Bourgeois) and her staff took excellent care of Ruth for nearly 6 years, and the Family thanks them for their dedication and love provided to Ruth.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Monday, June 18, 2018 from 6:00PM until 8:00PM. Visitation will continue at the funeral home on Tuesday, June 19 at 10:00AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow in the Chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home at 12 noon. Interment will follow in Metairie Cemetery.
To view and sign the guest book, visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com
