Matassa proclaims Shirley Bourque Day

Staff Report
L to R, first row: Gabrielle Robert, Paula Robert, Brett Bourque, Clay Bourque and Marley Frakes; second row, L to R: Parish Council Chairman Randy Clouatre, Penny Amedee, Dianne Bourque, Connie Bourque, Neal Bourque, Parish President Kenny Matassa, Shirley Bourque, Les Bourque, Dawn Soileau, Stacy Stephens, Leslie Lambert and Shelley Frakes; third row, L to R: Shane Stephens, Vic Bourque, Paul Bourque, Coby Lambert, Kim Lambert and Parish Councilman Dempsey Lambert; back row, L to R: Parish Councilman Aaron Lawler, Parish Councilman Bill Dawson, Parish Councilwoman Teri Casso, Parish Councilman Daniel “Doc” Satterlee, Parish Councilman Todd Lambert, Parish Councilman John Cagnolatti and Parish Councilman Benny Johnson.

Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa proclaimed June 16, 2016 as Shirley Bourque Day in Ascension Parish.

Matassa read the proclamation aloud during the parish council meeting in Gonzales on June 16. Bourque, mother of Gonzales Councilman Neal Bourque, and daughter of Ascension Parish Sheriff Vic Mire, was a successful businesswoman in Gonzales. She was business owner of Gonzales’ first beauty shop, Shirley’s Beauty Shop, which started in 1948. She and her husband also owned the successful business, Bourque Real Estate, which developed seven subdivisions in Gonzales from 1956 to 1983.

With the presentation of the proclamation, Bourque was made honorary parish president on June 16. She was joined by her five children and various family members. Her family has grown to include 16 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren with one more on the way.