Joan Mary Bourque

Joan Mary Bourque, 78, of Jacksonville, FL, went to meet our heavenly Father on December 19, 2020 surrounded by her amazing healthcare givers at Baptist Medical Center South.  Born to Clayton Rondeau and Mary Ellen Kennedy on June 28, 1942 along with her twin sister, June Ellen Rondeau (Stewart), in Boston, MA, she was a devout Catholic who believed in the power of prayer to her favorite saint, St. Anthony. Somehow, whether it was a missing set of keys or hardships her loved ones were going through, the power of her prayer was stronger.  While still in Massachusetts, she worked for the Bank of Boston. Then, by chance, she met her Navy sweetheart, love of her life, and eventual husband, James Bourque, at a New Year’s Eve Party in 1964, that neither one of them initially wanted to attend.  Following her husband, she traveled the country and raised their four children while he was deployed serving his country.  Her life revolved around her family, and as the matriarch, her children and grandchildren were the center of her universe.  There was not one thing she did without all of them in mind. 

She is preceded in death by her mother (Mary Ellen Rondeau), her father (Clayton Rondeau), her twin sister (June Ellen Rondeau Stewart), and her sister (Barbara Rondeau Mattos).  She is survived by her husband of 56 years James Bourque, Ret. United States Navy, her sons, James Norris Bourque, Jr.  (Maritza), Steven Rae Bourque, Ret. Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (Sheila), William Joseph Bourque, and daughter, Cynthia Ann Coffey (John). She is also survived by her amazing grandchildren, Brooke Ashlie Bourque, Alexander Christian Bourque, Bradley Ryan Bourque, Hunter Allen Bourque (Lauren), Jade Taylor Bourque-Erskine (Derrick), Chase Avery Coffey, Chloe Azlyn Coffey, Callie Shea Fussell, her two great-grandchildren, Felton James Erskine and Joseph Elijah Erskine, as well as her niece, Rhonda Petrillo, nephew, COL Dean James Rondeau Ret. United States Army (Shelley), and her furry grandchildren, Sky, Storm, and Sunny Coffey. 

There will be a private family Celebration of Life in her remembrance.  In lieu of flowers, please forward your donations to the American Society of Nephrology in the honor of her kidney donation to her twin sister.