Audrey Menard Bourque, a devoted and loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, sister and dear friend, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Saturday, February 4, 2023 with her loving family at her side. At her passing she was 84.
Audrey was born January 18, 1939 in Abbeville to the late Leo Paul Menard and the late Delta Roy Menard and was one of four children born to that union. Her daughters shared the story of how Audrey and Roy met while she was working at Gary’s Drug Store. Roy would go to the store daily and buy a new comb just so he could see Audrey. After many visits, they began a courtship and married December 18, 1957. Their marriage would see the birth of their three beautiful daughters, 12 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and 61 blissful years of marriage.
Audrey was a longtime and faithful parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church where she served as a Eucharistic Minister and with the Catholic Daughters Court Blessed Mother Theresa 2550. In all her years with the Catholic Daughters, Audrey has prayed with many families for their loved ones who have passed on, and for anyone in need. It was a ministry that brought her great joy.
To know Audrey was to know a woman who lived a simple life, but a life filled with all that was special to her. Of course her family was her greatest love, but she also enjoyed spending time sewing and tending to her flowers and yard. The family shared how great of a seamstress she was and how proud Audrey was to have made her daughter’s wedding dresses, brides maid dresses and many other garments. When not at the sewing machine, Audrey could be found in her yard tending to her flowers and cutting the grass. And when all of her work was done, she would wind down with her favorite snack of chocolate and an ice cold coke, while listening to her favorite singer, Patsy Cline.
We rejoice in knowing that our mother has earned her heavenly reward and look forward to the day that we will be reunited with her, and all of our family that has gone on before us. Until that day, rest well Audrey. We Love you.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Greta Bourque Gachassin, Marcella Bourque and Denise Bourque Theriot; her sons-in-law, Adleys Gachassin and Scott Theriot; 12 grandchildren; Stacey Gachassin, Heather Bourque (Houston), Jason Bourque, Bethany Orsak (Allen), Jacob Gachassin, Joshua Gachassin (Kellie), Amber Nguyen (Hien), Marcus Theriot, Dane Bonin, Kalem Bonin, Brittany Theriot and Matthew Roy Gachassin; her great grandchildren, Chase Gachassin, Maribel Gachassin, Clementine Gachassin, Trevor Orsak, Maddison Orsak, Hayden Londo, Halaysha Londo, Jason Bourque, Jr., Daiton Bourque, Alayah Bourque, Londinh Nguyen, Braylon Melancon, Isabella Bonin, Kenzley Gary, Haze Theriot and Zayden Romero; and her sister, Velta Ann O’Bryan.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Roy Paul Bourque; and her brothers, Nelson Menard and Willis Menard.
A Mass of Christian celebrating Audrey’s life will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church with Fr. Garrett Savoie as celebrant. Following the mass, she will be laid to rest with her husband at Holy Family Mausoleum.
A gathering of family and friends will held at Evangeline Funeral Home on Monday from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm with the Men’s Rosary Group leading the Rosary at 6:00 pm. Visiting hours will resume on Tuesday from 8:00 am until 1:30 pm, with the Catholic Daughters Court Blessed Mother Theresa 2550 leading the Rosary at 11:00 am.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Adleys, Jacob, Joshua and Matthew Gachassin, Marcus Theriot and Kalem Bonin. Honorary pallbearers are Scott Theriot, Jason Bourque, Dane Bonin and Hien Nguyen.
Relative and friends are encouraged to share their condolences and memories with the family by visiting Audrey’s memorial page at www.evangelinenewiberia.com
Evangeline Funeral Home of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.
