Anita M. Bourque

Anita M. (Leclerc) Bourque was surrounded by family in prayer just days before she passed away. She left this world on Nov. 21, 2024, just one day prior to her 82nd birthday. 

Anita was the daughter of Arthur and Yvonne (Hebert) Leclerc, both deceased. She leaves her husband J. Gerard Bourque, a son Craig, his wife Kristin, and their children, Zakaria, Alex, Brandon, Cole, Keiston, Carley, and Asher, and three great-grandchildren. 

Anita is predeceased by her brother, Robert Leclerc. She leaves her brother Gerard and his wife, Joanna Leclerc, Rev. Thomas Leclerc, M.S., her sister Pauline and her husband, Ronald Coram, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

After graduating from St. Bernard's High School in Fitchburg, MA, she attended Fitchburg State College for her BA, and Anna Maria College for her master’s degree, graduating magna cum laude. 

Her love for education shone through in her many years as a teacher, CCD director, and later Principal of St. Joseph School in Fitchburg. A love of art and music was not only in the classrooms where she taught; she also directed several variety shows for St. Joseph School, and taught oil painting and ceramics classes through her years. She was co-owner of Homestead Realty and Bourque's Video & Photo. 

Upon moving to Florida, Anita was Principal for disabled children at the Florida Institute of Neurologic Rehabilitation and later moved through the ranks as Vice President of Human Services for Goodwill Industries retiring in 2005. Anita continued to enjoy painting, crafts, and reading books. She vacationed at St. Laurent Campground in Royalston, MA, and moved to South Carolina in 2014 where she lived with her husband in Conway, SC. 

The family will receive and welcome guests at Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central St., Winchendon from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. on Monday, December 16, 2024. Internment services will be held at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, she has requested donations be made to the La Salette Missionaries, c/o Fr. Thomas Leclerc, M.S., 2254 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140.

Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home is directing funeral arrangements.