Bourgeois, first Bishop’s Cabinet female member, dies

Betty Bourgeois, who said in a 2012 interview with The Catholic Commentator that she was philosophically opposed to retirement, died Dec. 6 at the age of 91.

Bourgeois, a mother of nine children and a native of Head of Island, made history as the first female member of the Bishop’s Cabinet in the Diocese of Baton Rouge. She served as Secretary for the Office of Christian Formation under Bishop Stanley J. Ott and Bishop Alfred Hughes. 

Bourgeois also developed and put into place a nationally recognized process for forming catechists.

But the humble and energetic Bourgeois downplayed her role as a leader in ministry, saying she was not a pioneer. Rather, she said was trusted by people who “thought the gifts I had would be good for the church. Somehow someone recognized my gifts and asked me to serve.” 

Under her guidance, the programs offered to ministers in the diocese was expanded, and the number of participants increased in both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. 

She began her career as a volunteer at Holy Rosary Church in St. Amant as a catechist and then as coordinator of religious education. She earned a graduate degree from Loyola University in New Orleans and Holy Rosary hired her shortly after as Director of Religious Education.

Bourgeois retired from the diocese in 2000.

At the age of 82 Bourgeois, who was an educator for more than 60 years, accepted the position of social studies teacher at East Ascension High School, where she taught until the age of 85. 

She was a resident of Duck Roost. 

She is survived by two sons, Tim Bourgeois and his wife, Debby, and Blaise Bourgeois and his wife, Laurie; six daughters, Melanie Bourgeois and her husband, Cornell, Patrice Pujol and her husband, Tim, Jeanne Bourgeois, Amy Lawrence and her husband, Chris, and Andrée Bourgeois and her wife Robin; 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and brother Jack Anderson. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Damian; son, Gregory, daughter, Collette; mother, Edna Jewel Anderson; and brother James Anderson.

Because of COVID-19, memorial arrangements will be private. 

To honor Bourgeois’ years of volunteering with Charlie’s Place and the many members of the Bourgeois Family who have benefited from their services, in lieu of flowers, please send donations to Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area, 3772 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806 or alzbr.wpengine.com/donate/ or phone 225-334-7494. Ourso Funeral Home of Gonzales is in charge of arrangements. To plant memorial trees in memory, please visit their sympathy store.