Sister Lurlie Boudoin, MSC

In Memoriam
1927-2020

Sr. Lurlie Boudoin, MSC (AKA Sr. Peter) was born September 16, 1927 in Creole, Louisiana and died at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home in Opelousas, Louisiana on December 23, 2020 at 12:25 AM.  Sister was preceded in death by her parents, John Pierre Boudoin and Edith Boudreaux Boudoin; and by her siblings, John Boudoin, Jr., Joseph Boudoin, Greta Johnson, and Adeline Styron.  She is survived and deeply missed by her devoted nieces, nephews, and their families who stayed close to “Aunt Lurl” all her life.

Sister entered the Marianites of Holy Cross on September 8, 1944 and pronounced her perpetual vows on August 9, 1949.   She received her college education at Holy Angels Academy and Loyola University in New Orleans.  She earned a Master’s degree in education from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas.

Early in her ministry, Sister Lurlie was involved in education in Morgan City, Opelousas, Ville Platte, Lake Charles, Plaquemine, and in New Orleans at Holy Name of Mary and Holy Angels Academy.  From 1979 to 1989, Sister ministered as a patient representative at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Lake Charles.  Following her time in Lake Charles, she served in the business office for the Marianites and also on the staff of Our Lady of Holy Cross College (now the University of Holy Cross).  In 2006, she moved to Prompt Succor Convent in Opelousas and, due to decline in her health, she became a resident of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home on November 9, 2020.

Sister was a woman who had strong opinions about many areas of life.  In the political arena, she educated herself about all the issues and consistently stressed the importance of voting and taking part in every election process.  You quickly learned that you were very fortunate if you shared the same political positions as hers. 

She was a woman who was deeply attached to her roots in Creole and to her family.  Wherever she was in ministry, her heart strings were still connected to her Cameron Parish home and heritage.  Her rooms were filled with family photos, each image holding a special story which she was always eager to share.  Over time, you actually watched the children and their children grow up through their pictures. 

She was a woman who educated others.  She had high expectations of her students and worked with them to help them achieve their goals.  When she moved to Opelousas, many of them regularly visited her and included her in their class reunions. 

She was a woman of prayer.  Even when her health was diminishing, she was present in the chapel with her rosary beads and books in hand.  The words she chose to share with us at her funeral offer us a glimpse into her spiritual life.  “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  You have faith in God; have faith also in me.  In my Father’s house there are many mansions.  If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.”  (John 14:1-4)

Faithful in life, the Lord has come and taken her home.  We ask Sr. Lurlie to pray for us that our faith will be strengthened so that we, too, may merit that special place prepared for each of us.

Due to restrictions of COVID-19, a private funeral service was held Tuesday, December 29th in Opelousas, followed by burial in St. Landry Cemetery in Opelousas.