Rita Mae Chatelain Bourgeois

Rita Mae Chatelain Bourgeois died March 19, 2025 in Gonzales, La., where she moved a year ago to be close to her youngest son. She was 100. She was born October 17, 1924 in New Orleans to Bertha Moreau of Mansura, La. and Edmond Chatelain of Marksville, La. She was a loving and caring person who loved to dance, play cards and dominoes. She was a very active square, round and line dancer, first in New Orleans and later in the Harahan and River Ridge area where she moved after Katrina destroyed her Gentilly home. She belonged to many dancing clubs over the years. She was retired from the City of New Orleans treasury department. Her death was preceded by brothers Percy, Clarence and Raymond Chatelain; and sister Ruby Chatelain Prima.

Survivors include three sons; Tim Bourgeois of Gonzales, Glen Bourgeois of Kenner and Paul Bourgeois of Fort Worth, Tx; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and many extended family members.

She was a longtime parishioner at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in New Orleans before it was destroyed by Katrina, and later at St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Church in River Ridge.

A Celebration of life will be at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, March 31 at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. until service time. Interment will follow in All Saints Mausoleum. To sign and view the Family Guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com