Marilyn Janine Bourgeois

Born in 1944 to William and Thelma, she was raised in Springfield, MA with her brothers Billy and Danny and her sister Judy. Soon after graduating high school, she moved to NYC and earned her RN from Bellevue Hospital in 1965.

Her adventurous spirit led her to Honolulu, Hawai’i in 1970. It was through Queens Hospital, where she worked in the ER, that she found a network of friends who became more life family to her, many lasting a lifetime. In 1974 she gave birth to her daughter, Jessica (Kiana) and raised her solo while working several jobs at a time- a feat that couldn’t have been done without the support of her sister Judy and her family in MA and Marilyns’ tribe of friends near and far.

In 1992, both Marilyn and her daughter left for college in the mainland. Marilyn, at the youthful age of 48, became a full-time, non-traditional student at Mount Holyoke College, graduating with a BA in Anthropology in 1994.

Over the years, Marilyn worked as a travel nurse, routinely adding Cape Cod and Hawaii as her assignment locales. She adopted her beloved cat Ouzo in 2001 and continued working as a travel nurse, cat in tow across the states. She eventually settled on Cape Cod in 2003, where her daughter was now residing. Marilyn continued working in the ED at Falmouth and Cape Cod Hospital until retirement and made South Yarmouth her home. Tennis leagues, game nights, time with her daughter and travelling took up most of her time until the birth of her grandson in 2009, a life altering event for her.

Her greatest joy and love, her grandson, Cole Bissonette- anyone who knows her could attest to that. They spent many days adventuring, crabbing, visiting parks and just being together. She provided him with all the love, patience and time she had and never turned down an opportunity for a sleepover with her boy.

Marilyn had a love for reading, to the point where she had her own shelf for book requests at her local library. She was an avid sports fan (Go Celtics!), loved playing tennis (played college tennis at MHC!) and in recent years learned to play Bridge. Marilyns’ wanderlust led to many trips, always off the beaten path - backpacking across Europe, Alaska and Greece with her daughter were her most epic adventures.

Our Mimi possessed a curious mind with a thirst for knowledge. She often shared interesting finds from an article she had read, or a documentary seen. She had an undeniable sense of humor with a wonderful laugh, could write a witty poem on a whim and enjoyed a good political debate. She had a knack for keeping the conversation flowing no matter the topic.

Marilyn is survived by her daughter, Jessica Kiana Bourgeois and her partner, Shawn P. Bissonette and her one and only, favorite grandson, Cole Bissonette. She is an invaluable member of our family and will forever be missed.

Those wishing to donate in Marilyns’ memory can contribute to: People for Cats, P.O. Box 422, W. Falmouth MA 02574.