Catherine O'Hara Bouis

Catherine O’Hara Bouis, 94, of Lake Charles died Saturday April 15, 2017 in a local hospital.

Catherine was born in New Orleans to Edward and Leola (Bobbie) Cole O’Hara on March 19, 1923. She was wed to Pierre J. Bouis on December 26, 1942, a few months before Pierre left for Overseas – WWII. There were no Skype, E-Mail, or cell phones, only mail that took months to receive. Then Pierre returned after the end of the war, he was met by Catherine and saw his two year old son for the first time. In 1947 their daughter, Suzanne (Suzy), was born.

They lived in New Orleans and there Catherine received her education degree from Dominican College and taught elementary grades at St. Dominic and St. Pius. On Pierre’s retirement, they moved to Florida to be near their son and his family and traveled the world.

After Pierre’s death Catherine moved to Lake Charles in 1994 to live with Suzy and help at Heckhaven Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

Catherine volunteered at the Lake Charles Library, St. Patrick’s Hospital, Memorial Hospital, and Women’s and Children’s Hospital. She was an accomplished artist, mostly working on oils- landscapes, portraits, flowers, seascapes, and loved painting kids, pets, and wildlife.

Catherine was preceded in death by her husband, her son Pete J. Bouis M.D., and daughter-in-law Janice Akin Bouis.

Left to remember Catherine is her daughter Suzy Heck of Lake Charles, grandson Pierre J. Bouis, wife Ruthy, great-granddaughter Isabella, grandson, Kevin E. Bouis, wife Brooke, and great grandson Bode, and great granddaughter Catherine (Katie), all of Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL.

Catherine will be cremated and laid to rest next to her husband Pierre at Florida National Military Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.

Memorial donations may be made to support.woundedwarriorproject.org or an animal rescue organization of choice.