Butte La Rose et Les Entourage

Photo by: The Teche News

Bonjour.
Père Don Pelous said at Emma Lou Bourque’s funeral Mass last week that he had never seen her without her smile. Emma Lou was born in Catahoula and baptized at St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church in St. Martinville. She attended school in Catahoula until the 3rd grade and from there traveled 11 miles from home on a gravel road to a high school from which she was the second person from her community to graduate in 1941. During these many years of commuting, she ran errands for everyone during her noon hour and before and after school.
As Emma Lou grew older she was able to take on more responsibilities. In Fact, just as soon as she was able to write, she learned to make mail orders from catalogs and became the first official letter-writer for those who could not do it for themselves.
As time went on whatever new skills she learned she offered to others. As she matured she took upon her shoulders the task of leading the community’s activities: religious, social and civic.
Emma married Percy Bourque 1941. They had a son, Johnny, and a daughter, Patsy.
Emma and Tootie Guirard organized the St. Rita’s Alter Society in 1941 and Emma was secretary-treasurer for 15 years. They also organized the first Mardi Gras Carnival in Catahoula in 1953.
Emma was a member of the Church Choir since 1962. She decorated the church for special occasions. And she became a C.C.D. teacher in 1941. She served as president of her local Home Demonstration Club and for two years was president of the St. Martin Parish Demonstration Club. She remained a member all of her life.
She was the first Avon representative in Catahoula. She worked as a tour guide at the Acadian House Museum in the Longfellow-Evangeline State Park in St. Martinville. Sshe was the first teller at the Catahoula Branch of the St. Martin Bank. After retiring she took care of her crippled sister, Ella Mae. She was actively helping with the Church Fair and was head of the “Tart Making” since 1964.
Hope everyone made it through Hurricane Gustav in good health. No one was killed, thank God. I went to my daughter’s house. I don’t think I’d want to spend a hurricane alone at home anyway. Before I left my house last Sunday I walked around the outside with a box of blessed salt, sprinkled it all around while praying the Our Father and asked that my camp be spared from the outrage of the approaching hurricane. I sprinkled blessed water that I get from church on the trees around my house and asked them to stand tall during the storm. I am so grateful my house was spared. Thank You God! So many others were not so fortunate.
Greg Guidroz (Pont Breaux) dis pour l’ouragan (hurricane) Audrey dan 1957 the people from Henderson were sheltered in the Golden Spur, le vieu (the old) club à Henry Guidry. The flood waters of 1953 had come up to the Star Club, location of the car wash. He also remembers when Joshwell “T-Well” Dupuis taught Doc Guidry how to play fiddle au Quatre Coin à Cecilia (Four Corners).
The next Food for Seniors drive will be Wednesday, Sept. 24, at Parc Hardy. Coordinator Hazel Theriot asks that those who did not have their renewal info last month to please bring it this month. She must close the books that day ’til next year.
Shirley Akers, president of AARP for St. Martin Parish, informed me the September meeting has been postponed ’til a later date because of the hurricane. And the October meeting will be held at the Juvenile Detention Center and will be hosted by Sheriff Ronny Theriot.
Boyers Pharmacy in Henderson is selling the Ford Pickup raffle tickets for The Atchafalaya Basin Festival at Henry Guidry Memorial Park in Henderson, date still to be set. It was originally scheduled for Sept. 6 but postponed due to the storm.
Everyone needs prayers, but please say extra’s for Tim Boudreaux and his many health problems. And also pray for Dallas and Louella Melancon, for their health. They need volunteers to help them temporarily.
Dieu bénir,
Cousine Hélène