Jeanne Patrice Boucree Eddington

On May 14, 2021 at 6:34 pm, our beloved mother, granny, sister, niece, cousin, and friend completed her earthly journey with us and is now resting in the loving arms of Jesus along with many family members, relatives, and ancestors of the Boucree, Eaglin, and Eddington blood lines. Jeanne was joyously welcomed into this earthly world on March 16, 1952 as the second daughter of Olympia and John Harold Boucree, and younger sister of Rosalie Boucree. She was a beautiful baby who enjoyed the pleasures of growing up in the Broadmoor area with her parents, sibling, and paternal grandparent Rosalie Raymond Boucree (Joseph Albert). She was baptized at St. Monica Catholic Church with family friend John Fleming as godfather and Helen Rose Edwards as godparents. She also attended primary school at St. Monica Elementary School with her elder sister. Rosalie and Jeanne were playful sisters together and spent time with their maternal grandparents Anna Richard and Patrick Lily Eaglin, Jr, in Opelousas, LA throughout their youth – especially during the summers. In July of 1958, a second sibling arrived, a baby brother, Michael Christopher. Her family outgrew living with her Grandma Rose in Broadmoor, and they moved uptown into the Freret Street neighborhood, Our Lady of Lourdes parish. Upon graduation from St. Monica in 1966, she attended Xavier University Preparatory School (Xavier Prep) where she enjoyed four years of education, camaraderie and development of life-long friendships. Upon graduation in 1970, she attended University of New Orleans for several semesters and decided that she would prefer to join the world of work and return to college later. On June 17, 1972 she married Ricardo Eddington. From this union she brought into this world Christopher Matthew Eddington. In December of the year of his birth Christopher died at 3 months of age due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). That was a devastating event for her, and she affectionately remembered him each year on the anniversary of his death. On April 2, 1976, Robert Anthony Eddington was born and on March 28, 1978, Matthew Aaron Eddington was born of this union. From then until now, they are the peaches and apples of her eye and cornerstone of her existence. It came to pass that she was to raise them as a single mother, and this deepened the pride she had in them as they are fine, upstanding young men who gave her the world, as they could – and they tried. They showered her with love and gifts, especially the gifts of fine dining in a relaxed and informal setting savoring eclectic dishes of the palate, as well as local New Orleans and soul food cuisine dishes prepared at their hands and served in their homes. Robert is a catering chef and owner of Joie de Vie at NOLA having graduated top of his culinary school in Minnesota, and Matthew is the consummate grill-master and flavor master of New Orleans cuisines, respectively. On November 13, 1999, another boy was added to her family: Matthew’s son, Jourdan Christopher Matthew Eddington. She dawdled and fawned over him as any loving grandmother would and as he got older, spent valued time with him playing “I Spy”, watching Disney movies, “babysitting”, shopping, and just spending precious time doing whatever brought them together – even if just a brief visit or phone call. She faithfully supported her sons’ backyard feasts and festivities, pop-ups, etc. and the city’s parades, fests, and festivals especially around Mardi Gras. Her passions were celebrating Mardi Gras and attending Mardi Gras parades; having a party and festive time; friendship gatherings; enjoying good restaurants and eateries; line dancing having been a member of KWL Steppers; movies at the theater and TV, including several TV series like True Blood, Empire, Power, and Bridgerton; attending musicals and operas with her brother; attending performance events where her brother’s partner sang; having a “sisters day” or “sisters outing” when her sister visited New Orleans; and enjoying sweet tasting drinks especially if mixed with a little alcohol and in the company of her sons. In the world of work, subsequent to working at Shell Oil Company as a Senior File Clerk after changes in the oil and gas industry impacted her employment, she applied her skills differently, and became the Administrative Assistant for the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology at LSU Medical School. She was not left immune to the ravages of Katrina, however, and after a relocation stint to Flint Michigan with her brother and his partner, she returned to New Orleans living with her parents until her home was refurbished and restored. She returned to school at Delgado Community College and graduated with an Associate’s Degree, in Business Administration) that was conferred on May 13, 2006. She worked at Children’s Hospital as an Executive Assistant in the C-Suite, then at Crescent Care New Orleans as Chief Receptionist/Clerk until her retirement in 2018. Immediately prior to her retirement, Jeanne was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer and achieved survivorship past chemo and radiation treatments. Along with family members she survived the scourge of COVID-19 and achieved successful vaccination status. She and her family planned to celebrate “making it through COVID and vaccination” and Mother’s Day, but unfortunately, the breast cancer reared its ugly presence affecting many different organs while ultimately impeding her ability to walk. During her fight for recovery complications emerged, and she and God saw fit to relieve her suffering by Him bringing her into His eternal comforting arms as one of His heavenly angels. She is survived by a family who loved and loves her so much and are deeply saddened and shocked by her demise: sons, Robert Eddington (Erin) and Matthew Eddington, grandson Jourdan Christopher Matthew Eddington; sister, Rosalie Boucree of Miramar, Florida; brother, Michael Boucree (Ivan J. Griffin); maternal aunt Velma L. Eaglin, maternal uncle Cosmas D. Eaglin (Elaine); maternal aunt Carina Eaglin; paternal uncle James Albert Boucree (Miriam); and paternal aunt Doris Lieteau Boucree. She is sadly missed by her dear and close friend and “daughter I never had” Trinise Taplett-Lewis and trusted family friend, healthcare advisor/caretaker, and beloved emotional support, Christie Thomas. She is also survived by a host of Boucree and Eaglin family members, friends, and acquaintances too numerous to list here. She was predeceased by her aforementioned infant son, parents, maternal and paternal grandparents, paternal uncle Edgar Boucree, paternal aunt and godmother Helen Rose Boucree Edwards (Harry - deceased); maternal uncles Simon Peter Eaglin (Marguerite - deceased), Aloysius Matthew Eaglin, and maternal aunt by marriage Vera Rochon Eaglin. She was also predeceased by first cousins Camille Boucree Gibbs, Edgar Joseph Boucree, Jr, and Patrick Gerald Eaglin. A private memorial service will be held for immediate family and friends, with participation by her previous church pastor, Rev. Philip Brockett of Central St. Matthew United Church of Christ where she occasionally attended with her brother, and became a member in 2014. Her life and legacy with us will be joyously celebrated as she would want us to do, and in a way that she would want to attend. Cremation has taken place and her ashes will be interred on a future date to be determined. Arrangements are through the Rhodes Family Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family asks that in her memory, donations be made to the Olympia Eaglin and John Harold Boucree Scholarship Fund at Xavier University of Louisiana.