Laura O'Rourke's Obituary
Laura O’Rourke (1943–2025) was a radiant, loving, and family-oriented woman who always prioritized the needs of others over her own. Laura Burton O’Rourke, 82, of Madisonville, Louisiana, died in her family’s home of complications from dementia on October 29, 2025.
Laura attended Convent of Mercy High School in Mobile, Alabama, before initially going to work as a branch manager at Hibernia Bank and later as a chiropractic assistant for her son-in-law. In addition to work, she served as a Eucharistic Minister at LSU Christ the King Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, before relocating and attending weekly mass at the St. Joseph’s Abbey in Covington, Louisiana.
Laura met her husband Joseph “Joe” O’Rourke on a blind double date with friends, and they couldn’t wait to start a family of their own. Despite the many titles Laura would wear throughout her lifetime, mother and later (great)grandmother, were undoubtedly her favorite. She treasured her time with her grandchildren and loved being their Mimi.
Outside of cooking and time with family, her favorite hobbies included spending time in her garden, reading, and taking her annual family vacations to St. Augustine, Florida. Laura will always be remembered for her love of flowers, singing and whistling around the house, and the way that she would inevitably stick her tongue out when she was deeply focused on a task. One couldn’t have asked for a better friend, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, or great-grandmother than Laura. She impacted everyone lucky enough to meet her, and the world will undoubtedly be a lesser place without her in it. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved her.
Laura was preceded in death by her mother, Margaret Burton, father, John Burton; and siblings Peggy Clolimger, Marcia White, and Billy Burton, and is survived by her husband, Joseph O’Rourke; daughter, Mary Nicaud (Harvey “Nicky” Nicaud); grandchildren Abagail Nicaud (Luke Avenel), Ian Nicaud, Claire Nicaud, Luke Nicaud, and Genevieve Nicaud; great-grandchildren Elijah Nicaud and Evangeline Avenel; and siblings Harry Burton, Eddy Burton, Manny Burton, and Mike Burton.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association would be greatly appreciated.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at Mary Queen of Peace Church, 1501 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, Louisiana, on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 12:00 pm and the visitation will be from 11:00 am until mass time. Interment will be on Friday, November 7, 2025 at 1:00 pm in Catholic Cemetery in Mobile, Alabama.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. Please sign the guestbook at https://www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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