Mary Joann Bourque

Mary Joann Bourque, 90, passed away on July 20, 2021 in Dallas Texas with her son and daughter by her side. Mary Jo was born to David and Anna (nee Fisher) Martin on March 23, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan. After completing elementary and high school and she earned her Batchelor’s degree in English from the University of Detroit.

Mary Jo married Walter Bourque on June 27, 1953. Due to his jobs, they moved first to New Orleans, Louisiana before settling in Arlington, Texas in 1969. She kept busy raising her two children and volunteering in the community and at her church. Mary Jo attended St. Maria Goretti and then joined Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church when it was founded. Her faith in the Lord was strong and very dear to her and she was active in many programs at the church.

When her children were a little older, Many Jo got her teaching certificate and first master’s degree from Texas Women’s University. She taught third grade at Rankin Elementary in Arlington for many years before going back for her second master’s degree in education. Mary Jo then became a school counselor at Bebensee Elementary in Arlington. She often related that she wanted to help the students deal with many of the problems she had seen as a teacher. After retiring twice from Arlington ISD, Mary Jo went on to teach adult ESL until finally fully retiring when she moved to Presbyterian Village North in Dallas in 2017.

Mary Jo loved playing bridge, going to concerts and plays, and traveling. Her favorite activity though was spending time with family and friends. It was often said in the family that any traveling with Mary Jo would take longer than planned because she never met a stranger and so made new friends wherever she went. She was always smiling and in positive spirits. Mary Jo rarely let her health or life's problems get her down and never shied away from helping others in both her actions and words. She was loved and will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Mary Jo was very happily married to Walter Bourque for thirty-four years. She later met her second husband Ollie Sumrall and after many wonderful memories, he passed away in 1999.In addition to her parents and two husbands, May Jo was preceded in death by her brother Robert Martin.

Mary Jo is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Douglas and Tina Bourque of Rowlett Texas and her daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen and Sean Bushe of Fredericksburg, Texas. In addition, she had five grandchildren, Chris Geddes and his wife Stephanie, Rachael Gonzalez and her husband Michael, Walter Bourque, Bryce Bushe and his wife, Kimberly, and Kasey Erck and her husband Ryan. She was known as “GG” to twelve great grandchildren. Jacob, Abby, Hannah, Aubrey, and Violet Geddes, Mercedes and Oliva Maldonado, Max and Olivia Gonzales, Brendan Bushe, and Aubrey and Liam Bushe.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Mission Arlington, or BreastCancer.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.moore-funeralhome.com for the Bourque family.