Obituary of Marie Alice Bourdeau

Marie Alice Bourdeau was born on April 17, 1948 in Jerémie, Haïti, to parents Luc Bourdeau and Carmita Benjamin, a teacher and homemaker, respectively. Marie was the eldest of her 5 siblings--her brothers and sisters: Monique, Janel, Edith, Rose-Marie, and Jean-Claude [deceased], and was admired by all of them. Marie spent her formative years in Haiti, beginning her schooling first in Port-Au-Prince, and then returning to her home province, Jéremie, where she attended College Saint-Louis de Jerémie. Marie decided to complete her higher education in the United States. She began her life as a New Yorker in Brooklyn, receiving a Bachelors in Nursing from Long Island University. She began her professional work as a nursing resident at Beekman Hospital in lower Manhattan, paving her way towards becoming a Nursing Supervisor. “Beekman”, as it is affectionately called, would ultimately be her home away from home for 30 years. In 1986, she married a fellow Beekman resident—Dr. Malcolm Major. However, the union was short-lived and the couple divorced in 1990. Though painful, her brief marriage left Marie with one beautiful result—her daughter Natasha. Ever responsible and faithful to her downtown community, Marie witnessed the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center just steps from her home. Rather than cower amidst the chaos, she swung into action, and began working tirelessly at the site to treat the injured. She always remained hopeful that things were going to be better. Marie truly believed that God did not give anyone more than they could handle. Marie relied on her faith to carry her through obstacles. In 2005, she was diagnosed with lung cancer, which she beat. In December of 2012, she suffered a stroke resulting in weakness on her right side and speech impairment. Despite these massive deficiencies, Marie persevered in her recovery, and her spirit seemed shaken but never defeated, while she attended years of therapy. In June of 2015, Marie returned to her hometown in Haïti to convalesce. Unfortunately, she would never return to New York. On February 20th, 2016, Marie succumbed to a final stroke in her sleep. Marie was a woman of many passions and talents; she loved music, art and dancing. Her personality was bold and sassy, veiled in a calm grace. She loved to laugh and be around others. While working as a nurse she was considered by some to be a workaholic, but it was easy to see that Marie simply loved taking care of others. She volunteered at soup kitchens and clinics. She loved to cook and cared deeply about all her friends. Her greatest love and biggest success was her daughter, Natasha, whom she raised to be an strong, assertive, and compassionate individual in her likeness. Marie also leaves behind her sisters : MONIQUE BOURDEAU LEONIDAS, ROSE-MARIE BOURDEAU JEAN-LOUIS, and EDITH BOURDEAU JEANTY. Her brothers and brothers-in-law: LOUIS JANEL BOURDEAU, MEDARD LEONIDAS, GEORGES JEANTY, and FRITZ JEAN-LOUIS. Her aunts: MAGGY PHILLIPPE and JULIE DUVERNEAU. Her cousins: ‘KEKETTE’, ‘MAMA’, CARROLA, ROSIE, YANIQUE, KETLIE, SONIA, ERNS, BERTRAND, DESIRÉE, and ‘VINVINCE’. Her nieces and nephews: MOLEINS, MILDRED, VALÉRIE, JENNIFER, and GREGORY. Her godchildren: DAPHNE, STANLEY, CLAUDE-LUCE, MELISSA, FABIOLA, MAUREEN, PAUL, DOMINIQUE, and UMI . Her many second families : THE JEAN FAMILY, THE BAZILE FAMILY, THE JEAN-JACQUES FAMILY, THE LEONIDAS FAMILY, THE WALLENSTEIN FAMILY, THE VITUG FAMILY, THE SUGIMORI FAMILY, THE MAZARIZZI FAMILY, THE BONTEMPS FAMILY, THE DOUCET-JACQUES FAMILY, THE WILSON FAMILY and of course her countless friends in her ‘BEEKMAN HOSPITAL’ FAMILY. Thank you to all who travelled from afar to pay their respects. MAY HER SOUL REST IN PEACE. Calling hours will be Sunday, March 6 from 3 pm till 7pm at Fox Funeral Home, Inc., 98-07 Ascan Avenue, Forest Hills, NY. . A Mass of Christian burial will be held 11:00 am on Monday, March 7 at Immaculate Conception Church, 86-45 Edgerton Boulevard, Jamaica, NY. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Kew Gardens on Monday, March 7 following mass.