Olympia Eaglin Boucree

Dr. Olympia Eaglin Boucree departed this life on May 8, 2018 at 96 years of age at The Sanctuary of Passages Hospice in New Orleans, LA. She is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, John Harold Boucree; her children Rosalie Ann Boucree, Jeanne Boucree Eddington, and Michael Christopher Boucree (Ivan Griffin); brother Cosmas (Vera, deceased; Elaine) Eaglin, Sr, and sister Velma Lena Eaglin; grandsons Robert Anthony and Matthew Aaron Eddington, and great-grandson Jourdan Christopher Matthew Eddington. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, as well as many former students and friends. Dr. Boucree was born in Opelousas, Louisiana to the late Patrick Lily and Mary Anna Richard Eaglin and is preceded in death by siblings Simon Peter Eaglin, Aloysius Matthew Eaglin, Patrick Sylvester Eaglin, Aristide Eaglin, Agnes Magloire Eaglin, nephew Patrick Gerald Eaglin, and grandson Christopher Matthew Eddington. Dr. Boucree attended and graduated from Holy Ghost High School in Opelousas, Louisiana after which she matriculated at Xavier University of New Orleans, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science (’43) and later a Master of Arts (’56) in Education. Dr. Boucree later attended and graduated from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, with a Doctorate in Educational Leadership (’79). Dr. Boucree’s professional career began in New Orleans at Xavier University Preparatory High School where she taught math and science for seven years. She then went to Joseph S. Clark Senior High School and taught math and science for thirteen years and taught math for one year at John F. Kennedy Senior High School. Dr. Boucree was one of the first teachers to integrate the teaching personnel in the New Orleans Public High School. She also had the opportunity to teach math in the Upward Bound Program at Dillard University and the Yale University Summer High School in New Haven, Connecticut. She had the opportunity to serve as adjunct instructor of Mathematics at Southern University in New Orleans for eighteen years and part-time Mathematics Education Instructor at Xavier University. She served as mathematics consultant in the Curriculum Department, Supervisor of Mathematics and Director of Personnel in the New Orleans Public School System. Dr. Boucree retired from the New Orleans Public Schools in 1984, but later accepted a position as mathematics teacher in the Urban League Street Academy and a part time mathematics teacher for the New Orleans Alternative High School. She later served in an administrative position with the Urban League. Dr. Boucree pledged and was initiated in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in November 1942. After graduation she became a member of the graduate chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, known then as Alpha Eta Sigma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Later she became an active member of New Orleans Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta. Over the years, Dr. Boucree served on many committees in the sorority, most notably as Chair of the Social Action Committee, and provided the leadership in establishing the Delta Sigma Theta New Orleans Alumnae Chapter Foundation, Inc. becoming its first President and President Emeritus of the Foundation. The New Orleans Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta has previously recognized her as “Delta of the Year” for an entire year. Until the time of Katrina, Dr. Boucree was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. While a member of Our Lady of Lourdes she served as lay reader, Eucharistic minister, and a member of Our Lady of Lourdes School Board. Dr. Boucree was a member of the New Orleans Chapter of Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), where she served as treasurer for two years. She was president of the Greater New Orleans Chapter National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) for many years. Dr. Boucree also served her community as a community member and in many leadership positions. She was a member of her Neighborhood Association, Neighbors United, since its inception in 1974. She served as its President of Neighbors United for many years. Dr. Boucree also served on the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Board for nine years, where in November 1999 she received the Dorothy Richardson Award for Resident Leadership. She also served on the Catholic Foundation Board for nine years. Dr. Boucree was recognized for her services as a teacher and her service to her organization and the Community by the New Orleans Chapter of the Links as an “Unsung Hero”, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation and her own sorority as “Delta of The Year”. She was also recognized by the New Orleans Chapter of the NAACP where, on May 1, 1993, she received the Special Teachers Award. Relatives and friends of the family, members of Delta Sigma Theta-New Orleans Alumnae Chapter, Xavier University Alumni Association, Original Illinois Club (OIC), New Orleans Black Chorale, Neighbors United, Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, employees of Orleans Parish School Board, parishioners of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, employees of Ochsner Medical Center-West Bank and Baptist campuses, Ochsner Health System, Crescent Care, Passages Hospice and members of Central Saint Matthew United Church of Christ are invited to attend a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church 4230 S. Broad Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70125 on Friday, May 18, 2018. Viewing will commence at 8am. Delta Sigma Theta Omega Service will occur at 8:30 am, and the recitation of the Holy Rosary will occur at 10:30 am. Mass of Christian Burial will commence at 11:00 am. Interment will be at St. Patrick Cemetery #3, 143 City Park Avenue, New Orleans LA 70119. The family wishes to extend heartfelt, warm and sincere appreciation and unconditional thanks to Soror Linda Compton, who was a constant, true, reliable, ever present friend, companion and member of the family throughout her elder life and Passages Hospice Center for their compassionate and attentive care in her last days of life. In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family requests that donations be made to the newly established Dr. Olympia E. Boucree Scholarship for Secondary Education Majors at Xavier University of Louisiana. Donations can be sent directly to Xavier University Office of Institutional Advancement, RE: Dr. Olympia E. Boucree Scholarship Fund ATTN: Keith Blossom, Development Officer, 1 Drexel Drive, New Orleans, LA 70125. Arrangements by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Avenue. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook.