Marjorie "Margie" Meche Bushnell

Memorial services for Marjorie Genevieve “Margie” Bushnell will be held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in New Iberia on Friday, June 28, 2019. The church will open for visitation at 10:00 am with Recitation of the Rosary at 10:30 am. A memorial Mass, Celebrated by Rev. Keith Landry, will begin at 11:00 am with a reception to follow in the church hall. Interment will be at Beau Pre’ Cemetery. Marjorie Genevieve “Margie” Bushnell passed from this life on Monday, June 17, 2019 at her home on the Bayou Teche in Jeanerette in the loving company of her family. After 98 years of healthy, active life, Margie’s final illness was mercifully brief. Margie was born on January 10, 1921 in Mamou, Louisiana to Hippolite and Elizabeth Smith Meche. Margie and her sisters, Bessie and Katherine, lived their childhood in Mamou. In 1939, Margie was married to Murray Bushnell. They began to raise their family in Eunice and then New Orleans as World War II called Murray to service. They moved to New Iberia in 1950 and completed their family that would eventually consist of five daughters. While raising her lively family, Margie studied and became a licensed cosmetologist. After operating her own beauty salons for several years, Margie chose to incorporate another of her passions, needlework, into her salon and began teaching lessons as well as offering retail. After a time, she devoted her shop entirely to needlework and operated Margie’s Yarn Boutique for many years before retiring in 2000. Margie’s other great interest, gardening, was something she practiced throughout her life. Retirement allowed her to obtain her certification as a Louisiana Master Gardener, an achievement that brought her joy and a great sense of accomplishment. Retirement also gave Margie more time to join others in the shared joy in needlework. The friendship and fellowship she experienced with her “Sewing Sisters” was one of Margie’s greatest joys until the very end. She never failed to light up and enjoy the frequent visits of her “Sisters” and was eager to hear the details of the meetings and view the projects of both of her sewing groups. Margie was also active in her parish church, Sacred Heart of Jesus. She was part of the bereavement committee as well as the landscaping care group. Whether starting a new quilt, making blankets for donation to babies she’d never know, taking her first computer class shortly before her 80th birthday, or crafting creative costumes for events, Margie was an enthusiastic “doer” who always had several projects going at once. She was tenacious, always humble, and entirely devoted to her family, friends and beloved pets. Margie is survived by her five daughters, Genevieve Gilder, Ann (Espy) Price, Sheryal Walther, Kathleen (Charles) Taylor, and Maureen Bushnell (Gary Haskin). Her eight grandchildren are Leslie (Ray) Parham, Christine Gilliard, Shelly (Andy) Leising, Ann Walther, Bradley Walther, Taylor Haskin, Ryan Taylor and Wesley Taylor. She was also proud of her five great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. The “littlest survivor” is her beloved cat, Mignon, who occupied the role of “Comforter-in-Chief” as well as Margie’s lap in a steadfast vigil. Margie devoted her life and her formidable energy to her family, her hobbies, her pets and her friends. She was fiercely proud of the fact that all of her daughters obtained college degrees and several advanced degrees, as well. Margie was predeceased by her parents and siblings as well as her husband, Murray Bushnell. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to be directed to Hospice of Acadiana whose wonderful care and caring, along with constant attendance by her loving family and friends, made Margie’s final eight months truly exceptional ones. Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560 (337-365-3331) is in charge of arrangements.