Gertrude R. (Caron) Bourque, 88, of Newark, Delaware, died on November 17th at her home. She was born February 4, 1924 in Fall River, MA. She was the daughter of the late Ernest A. Caron and the late Rose A. (Caron) Caron. Her husband of 52 years, Alexander Bourque, Jr., preceded her in death in 1998.
“Gert” was employed by the former Cape Cod Shirt Company of Fall River for 8 years in the 1940’s. When her husband, CMSgt. Bourque, elected to make a career of the U.S. Air Force, their duty stations included stops in MD, Washington, DC, and Andrews AFB, MD. During Alex’s 18 years attached to the 1254th “Presidential Fleet”, they lived in Alexandria and Springfield, VA. Gert enjoyed crafts, knitting and crocheting and was also known as a fine seamstress. She was also responsible for the décor of the newly-established St. Bernadette Church, Rectory, and Convent in Springfield, where she was a member of the Ladies’ Sodality.
In 1966 when Alex retired, they relocated to Newark, DE. Gert retired from the gift shop at the DuPont Company, Louviers in 1983.
Alex and Gert enjoyed traveling, genealogy, constructing miniature dollhouses, and collecting thimbles. She was a member of the American-Canadian Genealogical Society of Manchester, NH, the U.S. Air Force 303rd Bomb Group – Widows Assn, and the Nat'l Assn for the Uniformed Services.
Gert leaves a son, Richard Bourque and his wife, Judith, of Etters, PA; a daughter, Paulette Murray of Newark, DE; and five grandchildren – Renee (Bourque) Healy, Kelly Bourque, Kevin Murray, Patrick Bourque, and Katherine (Murray) Bagosy; also, four great-grandchildren: Nathan and Avery Bagosy, and Gavin and Kinley Healy. A sister, Henriette Bolton, and her husband, Larry, of Jacksonville, NC, and a brother Ronald Caron and his wife Angela, of Somerset, MA, survive her. Her older brother, Ernest J. Caron, preceded her in death.
Funeral to which relatives and friends are invited to will be Saturday 8 am at SOUTH COAST FUNERAL HOME 1555 Pleasant Street Fall River, followed by a Mass of Christan burial at 9am at St. Bernadette Parish, 529 Eastern Ave, Fall River, Interment will be in Notre Dame Cemetery. Calling hours friday from 6-8 PM. In addition, a memorial Mass will be held at St. John Catholic Church in Newark, DE at 11:00 AM Saturday, Dec 8th.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local Hospice.
“Amen”