Annie Loretta Bourgeois

Laura was born in Glasgow Scotland, and grew up as the oldest of 11 siblings. Her parents, James and Ellen O’Brien McGread, had a variety of businesses, but Laura’s fondest memories were of her family running a hotel in their town. Laura was the main chef, and developed the ability to put an appetizing, delicious meal on the table as she entertained throughout her life. Laura came to the U.S. in her mid-thirties, 1965, and lived in New York. She was hired in the accounting department of Shell Oil without any of the usual qualifications, but learned the job well and worked for Shell for many years. She was transferred to Houston after a few years. She retired from Shell after a long and successful career.

Laura met her beloved husband, Tom Bourgeois, when they were both active members of the Legion of Mary. They were frequently paired to do Legion work, and from that friendship they formed a deep and abiding love. Laura and Tom married in January of 1974, and moved to Westbury in Houston later that year. They joined St. Thomas More Catholic Church and were very active in the parish and a wide circle of friends and family. It was well known and appreciated that any out of town visitors were welcome to stay with Laura and Tom and enjoy their hospitality.

Laura loved to travel and she went for many trips with Tom, enjoying vacations with her siblings in Scotland and throughout Europe. She was a consummate hostess and loved to have family dinners and meetings with church groups at her house. She became involved in the Focolare movement at St. Thomas More and was a cherished member of that community until her passing. Later in life Laura lived at St. Dominic village and two other care facilities, and was dearly loved by all of her caregivers. She will be missed by everyone that knew her. She is survived by her siblings Fr. Justinian McGread, James McGread and wife Anne, Gerald McGread and wife Pat, and Josephine (Joey) McGread, as well as 26 nieces and nephews from her family and 9 from Tom’s family.