Obituary of Jeanne B. Bourque

Jeanne Meryl Bourque, nee Bethuram peacefully passed away Sunday, February 7, 2021. Jeanne was born early on the morning of October 4, 1937 in Morgantown, Kentucky accommodating her mother who wanted to listen to the radio broadcast of the World Series game, rooting for the New York Yankees. She was first child born to William Ritter Bethuram, Jr. and Mary Ruth Moore. Jeanne spent her formative years in Evansville, IN and upon her high school graduation, she relocated to Waco, Texas with her Mother and siblings. Her work experience was varied and left indelible memories with infamous stories retold. During her years in Texas, she worked at a bottling factory line and was a switch-board operator for a telephone company. Upon return to Kentucky, she went to work in the Attorney General’s Office and the KY legislature. However, Jeanne’s most rewarding employment was found in the New York Assembly, where she managed the offices for the two great Flannigans: John J Sr. and John J Flanagan Jr. Jeanne was known as LID - “Lady in Charge” until her retirement. She met her first husband, William Grant Galloway in March 1964. Soon after, Leah Marinell and Sarah Elizabeth arrived to complete the family. In 1970, the Galloways relocated to New York. It was here that Jeanne found many meaningful friendships and became involved in local activities – Welcome Wagon, weekly bridge club, church and her daughter’s girl scouts and sports teams. Jeanne met her second husband, Donald D Bourque in the late 70’s and they were married in September 1980. Don and Jeanne traveled the world together throughout their marriage having many adventures. Jeanne’s most notable escapades were riding a camel in Cairo, repelling off a roof in Lausanne, Switzerland, dancing crazy footsteps with the children of Somalia, witnessing the “Green Flash” in Hawaii and countless other explorations in China, Italy, Spain, Scotland and Singapore. To celebrate her 80th birthday in “Jeanne-Flare”, she checked a bucket-list item by zip-lining from tree to tree. Jeanne was actively involved at Delmar Methodist church, Delmar Progress Club, The Beverwyck Community, Vanguard and the Albany Symphony Orchestra, and was an avid weekly player of bridge within many circles with her friends. Jeanne was a keen fan of Judge Judy and Alex Trebeck’s Jeopardy. Additionally, she loved saving miscellaneous collectable items that had a story behind them. She had a rare, and kind ability to strike up any topic with a stranger creating a new friend. However, her life truly revolved around her family. She was known for her famous Southern dishes. Her most memorable one was to make was her grandmother’s, “ring-of-plenty”. Jeanne was the quintessential life and soul of any party! Jeanne was the forever sweetheart of the late Dr. Donald D. Bourque; survived by her siblings JoAnn, Michael, and Jamie; daughters Leah and Sarah (Graham); stepsons, Bruce and Bryan (Jean); grandchildren, Taylor, Courtney (Jay), McKenzie, Tucker (Mike), Morgan, Elise and Grant. She is also survived by her great-granddaughter Nora. Arrangements are provided by the Applebee Funeral Home in Delmar. The family will remember and mourn her life privately with a celebration planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers and to honor Jeanne, contributions may be made to Albany Vanguard online at www.vanguard-aso.org/donate-2/ or send a check by mail. Please make check payable to Vanguard - Albany Symphony Orchestra, Inc., 19 Clinton Avenue, Albany, NY 12207. Additionally, contributions may also go to the First United Methodist Church of Delmar, to the Memorial Fund in memory of Jeanne and Donald Bourque can be sent to 428 Kenwood Ave, Delmar, NY 12054. Lastly, The Dean Donald Bourque Memorial Scholarship online at albany.edu/giving (note your gift is in memory of Dean Donald Bourque). Please make check payable to The UAlbany Foundation, note your gift is in memory of Dean Donald Bourque, and mail to 1400 Washington Avenue, UAB 226, Albany, NY 12222. All donations can be notated “In memory of Jeanne Bourque”.