Mrs. Rourke was born in DeRidder, LA on February 12, 1928. She graduated from Louisiana State University and moved to the New Orleans area following her marriage to Dr John C. Rourke in 1954. She was a founding parishioner of St Phillip Neri Catholic Church since 1960 and was one of its major supporters for the remainder of her life. She was a volunteer at many organizations including St Martin’s Episcopal School, East Jefferson General Hospital Medical Auxiliary and the Jefferson Parish Medical Society Medical Auxiliary among others.
After many years of active volunteer service in support of her husband’s medical career and her children’s schools and activities, Mrs. Rourke began her own long, successful career as a prominent realtor in Jefferson Parish. She enjoyed working with multiple generations of many families throughout the New Orleans area. Mrs. Rourke also enjoyed working with other realtors and professionals, many of whom she treasured as friends.
Mrs. Rourke will be remembered by her family and friends for her bold “take charge” personality, sharp wit, generosity and loyalty.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, John C. Rourke III, two sons Richard Alan Rourke and Sean Christopher Rourke, an infant daughter Mary, a sister Mary Ann Robertson, and two brothers, Carl Marsalise and Bernard Marsalise Jr.
Survivors include two sons, Brian Gregory Rourke (Lisa Hay Rourke) of Metairie and Kevin Paul Rourke (Ellen Niu Rourke) of Dallas, TX, four grandsons, John Cameron Rourke, James Bruce Rourke, John Phillip Rourke and Adam Christopher Rourke, two sisters, Vivian Goodman of Shreveport, LA and Lucille Stevenson of Houston, TX, and a brother, Lee Marsalise of DeRidder, LA.
Visitation will be on Monday, August 26, 2019 at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, LA from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm followed by a funeral mass at 12:00 pm in the Leitz-Eagan Chapel. Interment at the cemetery will be private.
The family is grateful for the compassionate care provided by Andrea Pierre-Ford, Catherine Myles and Sharon Crumb. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either St Phillip Neri Church or to the charity of your choice.
