Katherine Veracunda Elliott Bourassa's Obituary
Katherine Veracunda Elliott Bourassa, 97, passed into Eternal Life on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts to Edward and Rose Elliott, Kay attended a local grade school and graduated from Methuen High School. She then went on to study to become a nurse, in hopes of serving the military in World War II. Katherine (Kay), married Daniel C. Bourassa at St. Monica’s Catholic Church on September 8, 1946. She was the beautiful mother of six children, and each of them attributes their strong faith to her unwavering belief in God.
As a devout Catholic, she decided that her children should have a Catholic school education. She volunteered at the Immaculate Conception School and Church for many years until all of her children graduated. She served as a bus driver, cook, bingo coordinator, and festival chairperson. She worked in the parish rectory and eventually became the cook for the parish priests.
Once the children had all graduated from Immaculate Conception, Kay decided to return to school for her nursing degree. Her last position was working with the surgical team at the Miami Heart Institute. After her nursing career, she decided to retire and moved to Dade City, Florida to be close to her daughter Mary Ellen.
Katherine was deeply patriotic, and loved her country deeply. Some of her hobbies included gardening, pottery and ceramics. She gave her children beautiful keepsakes that they will treasure forever. She was always prepared for Christmas with a closet full of toys and gifts for her children and grandchildren at all times. She insisted that the Nativity Scene be set up in her front yard every Christmas.
Katherine is predeceased by her mother and father, Rose and Edward Elliott, her brother, Edward Elliott Jr., as well as her husband, Daniel Bourassa, and her daughter, Mary Ellen Grimm.
She leaves behind five children: Sharon E. Bourassa-Leavitt, Carol A. Johnson, Daniel C. Bourassa, Jr., Sherry L. McClain, and Donald R. Bourassa, seventeen grandchildren: Sean Tierney, Shannon Gonzalez, Travis Johnson, Kenny, Kelley, Clayton and Christopher Bourassa, Christina Padgett, Michelle Goode, and Rose Garrison, Michael McClain, Jr., Jesse Grimm, Chelsea Gordon, Katie Graham, Shane Grimm, Lacey Pisano, Wyatt Grimm and thirty-five great-grandchildren.
Viewing and Vigil will be held Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 p.m. Williams-Thomas Funeral Home Westarea, 823 N.W. 143rd St., Gainesville, Fl. 32669. A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 1:00 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 500 NE 16th Avenue Gainesville, Fl. Burial at St. Madeleine Catholic Cemetery, 17155 NW US Hwy 441, High Springs, Fl. 32643. Reception immediately following the burial at GFWC High Springs Woman’s Club, at 23674 U.S. Hwy 27. High Springs. GPS Address is: 40 NW 1st Avenue, High Springs, Fl. 32643.
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