Mary Mioko Boudreaux

December 5, 1931 – July 18, 2017 – An extraordinary woman of courage, heart and intelligence, Mary Mioko Boudreaux was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, and an inspiration to all who knew her. She was born the eldest child to her Japanese parents, Shizuko and Yoshio Uruma, in Shanghai, China and spent her childhood there in the international community. Her brothers, Hiroshi, Kiyoshi, and Osamu, and her surviving sibling, Yohko, often spoke of her strength in facing hardships after WWII. It was in Beppu, Japan, where Mary and her family settled, that she met and married Cullen, her husband of 62 years. They started a family after moving to Houma, Louisiana, a world away from her home; and Mary left a legacy of devotion to Cullen, their four children – Pat, Mike, Bonnie and Amy – their ten grandchildren – Jennifer, Stephen, Reese, Patrick, Elizabeth, Matthew, Taylor, Claude, Jr., Molly and Hayes – and their two great-grandchildren – Mila and Klein. All of the family looked up to her for her unfailing optimism and courage through debilitating illness, and for her constant love.

What also astounded family and friends was Mary’s quick mind and enthusiasm for a wide variety of interests. Coworkers depended on her financial skills as medical office manager, and her dedication through many years. Her husband, children and grandchildren loved her competitive spirit at cards, duplicate bridge, and mah-jongg, and her tenacity at building 1000-piece puzzles. Sports and the arts were twin passions -- Mary was equally at home talking about Roger Federer, the Houston Astros and LSU football as she was trading trivia from classic movies on TCM. Her musical tastes also covered the range. She enjoyed the Bee Gees and movie scores, as well as Beethoven and Schubert, and never tired of her beloved operas, especially La Boheme.

In the end, Mary’s lively interests always came second to her devotion to family, the love of her life. The carrying on of the generations with her grandchildren and precious great-grandchildren gave her incomparable joy. She celebrated their accomplishments, and their personalities, and made each of them feel special. She was as proud of them as we are of her. Mom (Mary), we will miss enjoying life with you, and we will love and revere you forever. You are the bravest person we will ever know.

A private memorial mass will be held in Sugar Land, Texas. Memorial contributions may be made to either of two charities: St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy (on check) with address of St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 409 Funderburk Avenue, Houma, LA 70364.

Or to: Save the Children, 501 Kings Highway East, Suite 400, Fairfield, CT 06825. Please designate on the check the Stephen Patrick Clayton School, built in Mali, Africa in memory of Mary’s eldest grandson.