Stephanie Nash Bourgeois

Stephanie Nash Bourgeois, age 89, passed away peacefully at her home in Mandeville, Louisiana in the early evening of January 8th, 2026.

Stephanie was born on October 17, 1936, in Mission, Texas to Clarence Cledament Bourgeois and Delores Margaret Nash Bourgeois. She was the youngest of three children.

The family later relocated to Morganza in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana. Stephanie attended St Joseph's Academy in New Roads and was a member of the 1955 graduation class. She entered the novitiate of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, in New Orleans in 1955, one of five novices from St. Ann’s parish in Morganza. She professed vows in 1958.

Stephanie earned her undergraduate Bachelors of Arts in Theology in 1962 from St Mary’s Dominican College, New Orleans, and a Master of Arts, in 1971, from Notre Dame University, South Bend, Indiana.

She was assigned to St Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge where she taught English and Religion during the 1960’s – 1980’s. Eventually, Stephanie joined Sr Lydia Champagne as a Staff Member at LSU's Christ the King Student Center. In what was a pioneering outreach to university students, they offered religion classes, prepared students to receive the sacraments, and provided other services.

Stephanie left the Congregation in 1988 and moved to New Orleans where, with her friend Jo Louise Pecararo, she served as a caseworker at St. Louis Community Center in the French Quarter. She later earned a Master’s of Social Work degree from Tulane University and was credentialed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

During the 1990s, Stephanie and Jo Louise bought and renovated an old triplex on Jeff Davis Avenue in New Orleans that became their home and a gathering place for family and friends.

In 1995 Stephanie and Jo Louise pooled resources with their friend Audrea Hicks and built their retirement home in Mandeville while renting out their New Orleans triplex. Their Mandeville home has always been a place of natural beauty and family joy. Excellent planning, augmented by trusted, faithful and loving caregivers allowed continuous home care as needed in their later years for Stephanie, Jo Louise and Audrea.

Stephanie was an avid gardener, creating beautiful oases in the Mandeville backyard complete with handmade swings and benches. She planted her vegetable garden every year, harvesting tomatoes, squash, and assorted vegetables. In addition, she taught herself electrical wiring and plumbing skills while renovating the Jeff Davis house which allowed her to be very involved in the building and subsequent renovations of the Mandeville house.

When Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005 the triplex went underwater. Undaunted, Stephanie and Jo Louise rebuilt and restored it during many long work weekends. During this time Stephanie also provided counseling to school children in the area who had been affected by the storm.

Stephanie’s outgoing personality and adventurous spirit translated into her love of travel. She visited many areas of the United States and made numerous trips to England, France and Italy with Jo Louise, and Audrea staying at monasteries and friends’ homes.

Stephanie was curious and a life-long learner, reading and studying history, and learning to water and snow ski. She was always a force of nature, and was very active until the recent past when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and vascular dementia.

Stephanie is survived by her sister Marilyn Bourgeois Hess of Morganza, Louisiana, niece Jean Hess of California, nephew Alexander Leo Hess, III (wife Frances), great-nephew Corwin Alexander Hess (wife Amanda), all of North Carolina, nephew-in-law Gerard Wimberly (wife Mathilde) of Louisiana, and many cousins including first cousins Jim Rome, CJ Rome (Diane), of Texas, and Gordon Rome of Tennessee, and other relatives primarily in Texas and Louisiana. She is also survived by her friend Audrea Hicks, Audrea’s niece Peggy Ann West, life long friends Sister Helen Prejean and Jane Menville, and trusted and faithful family caregivers Chandria and Candence Jones.

Stephanie was predeceased by her parents, her friends Jo Louise Pecoraro and Anita Tircuit, her brother Allen Marvin Bourgeois, Jr, brother-in-law Alexander Leo Hess Jr, niece Mona Hess, and many aunts and uncles.

Arrangements were made through Serenity Funeral Home, Mandeville/Covington, Louisiana. A celebration of life and Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 182 Church Rd., Morganza, Louisiana beginning at 10:45 AM with burial at St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made to the following charities:

MINISTRY AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY, 3009 Grand Rte. St John #6, NOLA 70119

or www.sisterhelen.org as well as the AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, www.heart.org.

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