Natalie Bourdage

Natalie O. Bourdage, 90, passed away in her sleep on September 15, 2010 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY during a brief hospitalization. She had moved away from her home in Tupper Lake to an assisted living community in Penfield, NY near family one year ago.

Born Natalie O. Boyer on February 12, 1920 to Oscar and Mary (Soulia) Boyer in Conifer, NY, she was the sixth of their eight children. When the saw mill in Conifer closed, the family moved to Tupper Lake where Natalie attended local schools. She often recalled the horse and buggy rides to elementary school at the junction . After she completed her education, she was employed at the Newberry’s store on Park Street until her marriage.

On June 19, 1941, Natalie was married to Real (Ray) J. Bourdage by the Reverend E. O. Herveux in the chapel near St. Alphonsus Church in Tupper Lake, NY. After their three children were all in school Natalie joined the staff at the A+P grocery store. Countless local families remember Natalie as a cashier with a perpetual smile who was always helpful and caring. She retired from the A&P after twenty-five years as a devoted employee.

Natalie was an avid golfer and continued to walk the local course swinging a club well into her eighties. She was known for her excellent putting and eagle eye abilities to track the ball (for everyone!) In her younger years she was a member of the six woman team and truly loved joining the other gals playing in the Twilight League. She and Ray also joined a local bowling team and although Natalie bowled for the fun of it, her ability to focus on the game resulted in some very high scores. Over the years she was a loyal fan of Ray’s clarinet and saxophone playing at the local Waukesha Restaurant. She loved to dance, and cherished the times when Ray could leave the bandstand for a trip around the dance floor with her. She was still dancing this past year to jazz bands playing at the assisted living community.

As a devoted mother she attended all of her children’s events at school, and it was here where she developed a love of sports as she watched her two sons and daughter competing or cheerleading. She cheered them and their team on with genuine excitement and enthusiasm . She continued watching many sports events live, or on television, well into her twilight years.

Natalie was high energy and could always be found either cleaning and dusting, baking, or outside working in her yard. She enjoyed helping others when they could no longer do their own shopping or cleaning.

None of her talents ever exceeded her culinary abilities. She was best known for her Thanksgiving and Christmas turkey dinners, which no one else could replicate. We all thank her for her tireless efforts to serve us a feast at every meal and for always being the loving, giving and spiritual core of our family. She was very close to her family, including her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Natalie is survived by her three children, Phillip Bourdage and his wife Bonnie of Penfield, NY, Gerald Bourdage and his wife Margaret of Pulaski, NY, and Cynthia Bisson and her husband James of Piercefield, NY, her grandchildren Lisa (George) Young and Lisa’s mother Judith Soucy, Kristoffer (Tabitha) McMonagle, Nicole Bourdage, Kristin (Donald) Reninger , and Brian Bourdage, her great-grandchildren Megan, Brittany and Juliana Young; Colin, Brianna, Landon and Aiden McMonagle, plus cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Ray, in 1991, her parents, sisters Leonore Brunette, Florence Cote, Mary Darling, Wilma Jasper, and Helen Baird, brothers Gene Boyer and Kenneth Boyer, and her dear friend Eldee Martineau.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, October 9th from 1:00-2:00 at the Stuart- Fortune- Keough Funeral Home in Tupper Lake with a memorial service beginning at 2:00 PM. To celebrate Natalie’s life, her family would invite anyone to share their special memories of her after the memorial service. Directly following this gathering, burial will take place at the St. Alphonsus Cemetery.

Friends who wish to remember Natalie O. Bourdage may make a memorial contribution to the Tupper Lake Rescue Squad. Online condolences may be made at www.stuartfortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.