The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Carolyn Ann Irish Bourque, 67, of Orangefield, Texas died Wednesday June 13. She was born May 7, 1945 in Center to Elroy Irish and Margie (Bailey) Irish. She graduated from Center High School in 1963, attended Panola College and graduated from Stephen F. Austin State College in 1967.

She taught elementary school in Port Arthur for three years, then 33 years in the Bridge City School System. She earned a Master’s Degree in English from Lamar State College. She retired in 2004.

She married Claude (Buddy) Bourque Jr. in 1969 and he preceded her in death in 2003. She was a member of the Old First Orange Baptist Church.

She is survived by her step son, Skip Bourque and wife, Dianna, of Winston-Salem, NC; two brothers, Leonard Irish of Center, and Charles Irish and wife, Betty of Denton. She is also survived by her niece, Stacey Irish-Keffer and husband, Kennan Keffer; nephews, Collin Irish and wife, Amy of Littleton, CO., and Keith Irish of Houston; grand nephews, Drake Keffer of Denton and Cole Irish of Littleton, and grand niece, Julia Irish of Littleton.

A funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, June 17, at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange with Dr. Keith Meyer officiating.

A graveside service and interment will be at Newburn Cemetery in Center, on Monday, June 18, at 11:00 a.m.