NEW IBERIA – After a long, active, loving life, Suzanne Marie Pesson Martin Bourgeois passed peacefully away from this life on February 26, 2025. She left this life as she lived it: on her own terms. She entered the world on January 7, 1937, at a mere 3.5 pounds and 9 weeks premature. From that point forward she hit the ground running (literally at 8mo of age), becoming what her family affectionately called “a force of nature”. And we all loved her for it.
Suzanne loved and was so very proud of her children and grandchildren and so enjoyed watching them grow into the individuals they were meant to be. She cherished the time with her special friends in the Piecemakers Quilters and at Fortnightly and remembers fondly the time with her friends at the Rehab Center of IMC.
She met the first love of her life, Guy Martin Jr., in 1954 and married in 1955. Five children and 39 years of marriage followed, resulting in 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren (and counting). Guy’s Army National Guard service eventually led to the rank of Brigadier General, and Suzanne really enjoyed the life of a general’s wife. Meeting and making life-long friends and many wonderful memories. This was a magical part of her life.
As her children were growing and moving on, she entered and graduated from USL in 1984 earning a BS degree Magna Cum Laude in History. Other than raising her 5 children, she considered this one of her proudest achievements.
Suzanne spent 7 years working at Heritage South Nursing Home, collecting many friends along the way. She so enjoyed caring for and loving the residents there.
After losing Guy in 1996, she found the last love of her life in Huey P. Bourgeois in 1997 and married in 1998. They had a wonderful life together over their 25-year marriage, cooking with friends, traveling, and just enjoying life. She lost Huey in June 2024.
She is survived by her five children: Marion P. Martin, Joseph G. “Jake” Martin III (Maria), Adrienne M. Zimmer (John), Theodore “Ted” Martin (Cherie), and Julie M. Kyle (William), twelve grandchildren; Mary Frances Q. Passos, Rebecca A. Martin, Marina M. Leary, Leslie T. Herhold, Elise T. Meyer, Stephanie T. Brown, Katharine Martin, Conner Martin, Caroline Martin, Martin Smith, Cameron Kyle, Emma Claire Kyle and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Joanie P. Kraker.
She has been predeceased by her parents Louis Pesson, Jr. and Maude Broussard Pesson, her brothers Lynn L. Pesson and Ray A. Pesson, her sister Marion Pesson, and her beloved granddaughter Sydnie Claire Smith.
Suzanne wanted the family to recognize her special relationship with her cousin Peggy B. Louviere, without whom her life would have been just a little bit sadder, a little more difficult, and a whole lot less fun.
Suzanne also wanted the family to acknowledge the wonderful ministry of Hospice of Acadiana, and of her special angels GiGi Green, Lou Brown, Cathy Celestine, and Belinda Arceneaux, whose ministry of comfort and care made her last bit of time on this earth as comfortable as possible. We could not have done it without all of you and love each of you dearly.
A Memorial Service celebrating her life will be held on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 1:00 pm at Evangeline Funeral Home with Fr. Ed Degeyter as celebrant. Following the service, Suzanne will be laid to rest at Beau Pre Cemetery.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at Evangeline Funeral Home on Monday, March 3, 2025, from 9:00 am until time of service.
Finally, Suzanne asked that in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Carmelite Sisters of Mount Carmel (21388 Smith Road Covington, LA 70435-6349) and/or Hospice of Acadiana (2600 Johnston St Suite 200, Lafayette, LA 70503), two organizations near and dear to her heart.
Relatives and friends are encouraged to share their memories and condolences with the family by visiting Suzanne's memorial at www.evangelinenewiberia.com
Evangeline Funeral Home of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.
