Lucille Marie Adolphine Bourlet McDonnell left this earthly life on December 15, 2018 at the age of 88 years. She was the loving wife of William Theodore McDonnell, Jr., M.D., who predeceased her in death, and the devoted mother of Elizabeth Patricia McDonnell (Beth).
Lucille was predeceased in death by her parents, Adolphine Garrot Bourlet and Michael Jean Bourlet and her grandparents Leontine Elmire de la Marque Garrot and Severin Adolphe Garrot; and Katherine Bach Bourlet and Jean Michael Bourlet.
An alumna of St. Mary’s Dominican High School, Dominican College and Loyola University College of Music. She is well recognized for her volunteer work as an Activist in the New Orleans community; her almost fifty years in the fashion, retail and merchandising field of the greater metropolitan area; and her years as a musician - a classically trained operatic soprano performing for summer pops and the New Orleans Philharmonic.
She was the recipient of many honors and awards including the Fashion Group International of New Orleans’ Lifetime Achievement and Individual Achievement Awards (1989) and the Distinguished Service Award (1990); Friends of City Park Outstanding Volunteer Awards in 1995 and 2004; YWCA Role Model (1997); South Mississippi AIDS Task Force Distinguished Volunteer Award in fundraising (1999-2004); East Jefferson General Hospital Auxiliary Great Lady Award (2004); St. Elizabeth’s Guild Volunteer Activist Award (2006); and a Peoples Health Champion (2006).
She served on the board of directors of The Fashion Group International of New Orleans, Friends of City Park, The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, Girl Scouts of Louisiana, and East Jefferson General Hospital Auxiliary. She also dedicated many volunteer hours to WYES Showboat Auction, NO/AIDS Task Force Art Against AIDS, South Mississippi AIDS Task Force and Friends of City Park.
Her daughter would like to thank Drs. Rada, Lane, Puente, Ralston and Malik and all of the nurses for the wonderful care she received while in East Jefferson General Hospital ICU.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to CrescentCare (formerly NO/AIDS Task Force), Friends of City Park and the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the memorial gathering at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Saturday, December 22, 2018 from 11 AM – 2 PM.
The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com
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