LOUISE MANON BOURGAULT
October 31, 2009

"This woman treated me, as an NMU freshman in 1989, as if I were her only student. She overlooked my frequent absences from her classes because she knew I was either working at the local radio station, or working late at the North Wind newspaper. Dr. Bourgault was my academic adviser back then, and worked hard to arrange for me a foreign study experience in Kenya. That didn't work out because I couldn't come up with the money. But Dr. Bourgault taught me a lot, and I am sorry that it has took so long for me to publicly thank her..."

"Dr. Bourgault made a lasting impression on me. I'm grateful to have been her student and to have known her."

"Dear Neil, Words are not strong enough to express my deep worry to you and Louise' family. I have just read the announcement about Louise. It has been hard to believe it. I remember her during our last meeting in Marquette. She was so lovely, so dynamic and so willing to enhance international collaboration. Louise invited me at NMU to an Occasional Lecturer Program in February 2009. Accept my sincere condolences. I pray for Louise. May she rest in peace? We will never forget her. You have all my support. Djeneba TRAORE Mali"

"Dear Neil and family, I read the obituary back in November and wondered if this was the same Louise that I had known while we were both graduate students at Ohio University. I just received the alumnae news, and I see that dear Louise is indeed listed in the memoriam listing. I remember Louise fondly-her warmth and energy made a real impact on me. I remember staying up late at night and just talking and listening to music. In fact I have a record album that she gave me.... (it is either Bob Dylan or a French singer, Moustaki?) We shared our passion for our French heritage. Just now when I looked up the obituary and I saw her photo, I immediately recognized her. There was hardly a change from practically 40 years ago...same tilt of the head and beautiful smile. Please accepted my thoughts of sympathy. Rita Einstein Davis"

"I just received the Syracuse University Magzine (May 2010) where they listed Louise's passing. Although I have seen Louise since 1971, I nonetheless am deeply saddened to read of her passing. She was a wonderful person in undergraduate school - and I am sure she carried that persona throughout her life. My belated condolences to her husband and family. Steve Rodick Waimea, HI May 16, 2010"

"Dear Neil and Family, We are so very sorry for the loss of your beloved Louise. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her and especially for those who worked with her, because of the great colleague that she was, a truly talented and dedicated professor. Louise was a leader who served many and who made a difference in her support for AIDs and the Arts. You are in our thoughts and prayers. With Sympathy, Jane, Phil and Hannah Milkie"

"Louise with your passing the global light has diminished. We are sure your spirit will continue burning bright in Africa."

"With the passing of Louise the world has lost a messenger of peace and hope. She will be greatly missed. We feel privileged to have know her as a friend. Don and Mary Snitgen"

"Neil and Family, We will always hold our fondest memories of our dearest friend Louise and cherish all the times we had spent together in her company.The community and the world has surely benefited from her devotion to mankind. She opened our hearts and minds of those less fortunate in the world and helped in our understanding of the worlds varied cultures .We Thank you for all the engaging times that we spent together."

"Dear Neil and the rest of Louise's family, I was greatly saddened to hear of Louise's passing. Such a great loss -- her animation, vibrant personality (what a teacher she must have been), her enthusiasm for art and for life. It was always fun to talk to her, exchange ideas, and share in her excitement about a new project she was working on. The university community has lost an irreplaceable member. My heart goes out to you. Kay Payant"

"My deepest sympathies to Dr. Bourgault's family. I was a former broadcasting student of hers at NMU from 1983-1987 and have many good memories of her as an instructor. She was passionate about teaching, enjoyed challenging our assumptions, and brought a lot of humor into the classroom. I later went on to teach Media Studies myself for a short period and hopefully was able to pass along some of the very good lessons she taught me."

"To the Bourgault-Cumberlidge Family It is with great sorrow we read about Louise's passing. Please accept our heartfelt condolences. I'll always remember the laughter and fun when we worked at Champlin Library."

"Dear Aunt Rosa and Family, I am so happy that I had a chance to visit with you and Louise over the summer. We had a lovely time catching up and reminiscing about family members and our youth. God reached out and minimized her time of suffering. For that we can be grateful even though he broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best. Louise was a remarkable human being and has left behind a legacy to prove it. Hold tight to these memories for comfort. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy. May the comfort of God help you during this difficult time. Your Niece, Paulette, Michael, Dax & Michaela"

"Dear Louise and Neil - We were so much looking forward to your imminent visit of our new home in Brookline, and now instead we are coming back to see Louise one last time, and to say good-bye. You will always be in our mind's eye and shall remain forever a truly favorite person for this planet. Much love for this farewell from all our family!"

"To Neil and Family, My condolences to the entire family. Louise is an inspiration to me and many others. Her impact has been immense and will continue on for many years. My deepest sympathy to everyone but my greatest respect for everything that Louise has done and for who she was as a person."

"Oh Rusty, I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of Louise these last few days has brought back so many memories. Sitting in your Mom's kitchen, round the big table, Louise, maybe Denise or Sue, watching the Big girls, hanging on every word, wondering if someday we'd get to be the Big girls, too. My heartfelt condolences to all Louise's family and friends and especially to my old friends, Mrs. B, Jeanne, Sue and Rusty. Elaine"

"I miss you, Dr. Bourgault. I miss our after-class discussions about politics and world order. It was refreshing to have a professor who cared as much as you did, not only about what you knew academically, but also how much you cared about each one of your students. Ill never forget how much fun it was being in your class because of the energy you brought. I will also never forget how excited I got when I aced your African map quizzes and how excited you were for me, as well. My sincere condolences to Dr. Cumberlidge and the rest of Dr. Bourgaults family and friends."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with your family,Jeanne and with Louise's as well. We didn't know her personally but reading her obituary know she was a wonderful, loving and accomplished member of your family. How proud you must be. May your memories bring you comfort and peace."

"I first met Louise when I was a student in the theatre department at NMU. She never forgot me and I never forgoot her. : ) Over the years I was honored and proud tto help her with World Aids Day activities on campus at the Black Box Theatre. we would offen meet and talk about our travels, culture and art. Neil my hearfelt sympathy. It is a loss for the Mqt community, NMU and especially the many students who won't ever get to know and meet her. She was an inspiration and much more!"

"To Neil and Members of Louise's family, I am deeply sorry for your loss. Louise was not only an outstanding teacher and scholar, she was a friend to so many, including me, and we will all miss her terribly. NMU will simply not be the same without her; but we will all continue to be inspired by her memory to be citizens of the world. My thoughts are with all of you in this very sad time."

"My deepest sympathies to you all. What an incredible loss to you and all she served. It is amazing that the little girl I knew so long ago grew up to make such a profound difference to the world."

"To the family of the Louise Bourgault, My sincerest condolences on your tragic loss-my thoughts and prayers are with you during this sorrowful time Ann Dupre"

"I will always remember Louise as my sister Becky's best friend. She visited me once when I lived in Wisconsin and Becky was visiting, and Louise was on her way to Marquette. She was a fun, wonderful person. My sympathy to all of her family, especially Rusty and Jeanne, whom I knew the best. Love and prayers, Chrissy"

"My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. I remember visiting the Bourgault residence in RI many times in my youth and remember the warm and encouraging environment in which Louise and her sisters Jeanne, Suzanne and Rose Marie were raised. What a legacy to your family and to the world. Amazing the difference one bright beacon can make on our earth while touching so many individual lives. God Bless."

"Dr. Bourgault changed my life, inpired me to be and do more, and broaden my horizons. I am so thankful to have had a mentor like her. What an amazing woman! I celebrate her."

"It is hard to imagine the CAPS department without Dr. Bourgault! She truly inspired me and showed me how important it is to balance the broadcast business with social consciousness for the good of a population. Dr. Cumberlidge and family...please know that Louise's spirit and knowledge will live on through the many lives she touched. I will always be grateful for her dedication to her students and I will miss her!"

"We will all miss you, Louise. Thank you for all the good you have done in the world, and thank you for touching my life, dear friend. Neil, my heart goes to you. Sincerely, Beverly Matherne"

"Neil- My sincere condolences on the loss of your beloved Louise. I am out of town so can't be with you on the 20th, but my thoughts and prayers are with you. Ronnie"

"I had the honor of taking classes with Louise. Class was always interesting. She was very passionate about the subjects that she taught and I am sue she will be deeply missed. My most sincere condolences to all in her life."

"I will always remember Louise as a vibrant individual who was always concerned with the University, its programs and students. She was a vital part of our lives on campus and away. Neil and Louise had some wonderful parties which brought together a variety of people and were always looked forward to by all who attended. We will miss her. Our prayers and thoughts are with you Neil and her family."

"As the Department of Political Science and International Relations members (Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey) we are deeply saddened by Dr. Bourgault's passing away. We send our condolences to her family, and to all the people she touched."

"I know Louise through Simten. I am certain that she will continue with her guidance and activism, merged with intellectual curiosity, for the empowerment of the marginalized. I am sending my deepest sympathies to her family."

"I took several of Dr. Bourgault's courses while I was a student in the Communication and Performance Studies Department at NMU. I also had the opportunity to help her with the 2004 One World Beat charity event that she, and several of my CAPS colleagues, put on. I will always be grateful that I had the honor to have Dr. Bourgault as one of my mentors. She was, and will always be, an inspiration to me."

"My cousin Louise was always a marvel to us growing up--the places she was going, the things that she was accomplishing were just amazing. And I see that her entire life was such a generous one, and that she will be greatly missed. It saddens me that her family and Neal have lost her so suddenly, and so soon. My prayers are with you all."

"I am so saddened to hear that Louise has passed. She was a great person and her absence will be noticed. My condolences go out to all of her family that she has left behind."

"Louise is greatly missed and her spirit will be kept alive by all those that she touched during her very brief life."

"What a loss for all of us, the university and the Marquette community! Thank you, Louise, for caring about the Oasis Gallery amidst all your other concerns. We will sorely miss you, but your spirit lives on."

"Neil: I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Louise. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy. Janis Book, formerly worked in Academic Affairs; retired 10/05"

"I have lost a truly compassionate and caring friend. Louise made a huge difference in my professional life by serving as one of my mentors at NMU while on ACE Fellowship. I had deep respect for her as a scholar and a beautiful human being. May her soul rest in peace!"

"To the Riley and Bourgault families: My deepest sympathies during this deeply sorrowful time. Reading Louise's biography makes one realize that she left a deeper impact on the lives of many, reaching far beyond the confines of little RI. Her presence will most definitely be missed by all. Her noted accomplishments, a testament to her life and how she globally touched so many."

"Deepest sympathies from the Schuller family."

"With so many wonderful memories of the privilege of spending time with Louise, it's hard to pick just one - they all stand out. One of the most delightful was bringing a dance troupe visiting from Africa to the beach in Marquette - I am not sure they had ever felt water so cold. One that I can be proud of was the opportunity to act in Dr. Gilbert Doho's street theatre AIDS play in the Black Box. The world has lost a magnificent woman who was larger than life. I think our most treasured memories of Louise, however, are much simpler. Happy hours, dinners, birthdays and holidays we were blessed with her sparkling presence. Please allow me to express my sorrow at her passing, and sincere condolences to Neil and all her family."

"When I was an undergrad, a friend, who knew that I was doing research with Dr. Bourgault and thought so highly of her, mentioned that she often saw Louise and Neil walking in the neighborhood together in the evenings. My friend said that they always talked excitedly to each other while on their walks and she wondered what they could be so be eager to share with each other after being married for years. I knew that they were in love with each others minds as well as their hearts and was so touched by this story and have thought of it often. Dr. Bourgault has taught me so much about the world and about being a scholar and teacher and an independent woman, and to do it all with a phenomenal wardrobe too!! Her ornate and beautiful jewelry and clothes from all of her travels are such a magnificent outward representation of her experiences, but could never outshine the grandness of her soul. May peace surround all who love you."

"Hi Neil, I have many fond memories of Louise. She will be dearly missed. I know she touched the lives of many people and I for one was lucky to know her. I wish the best for you in these difficult times, and hope our paths will cross again some day. Best Regards, Gary"

"I will always be grateful for all that Louise did to help me get through my student teaching experience in England the fall semester of 1990. She was my sole connection to NMU during that time. A few years later I was hired at NMU as Instructional Media Services Supervisor and had the pleasure of working with Louise to advance NMU's Media Collection to include diverse, international titles. I also frequently pulled together lists of videos based on topics she was interested in showing to her communication classes. Nearly every visit to my office, Louise invited me to attend multi-cultural events, many of which I gladly helped her with her audiovisual needs. On a personal note, Louise was an infinitely positive spirit. Nobody compares to Louise. What a painful loss. Sigh..."

"My dear friend, My last letter did not reach to you in this world; I know that it and this and the following letters will reach in this new stage of life. As usual, in that letter too, I thanked - and I am still thanking you - for your generous friendship, for your wisdom, for your never ending energy, for your consideration for the "others" of this world. You were ahead of me in your experience, teaching, publications. Now we have one more instance. Hope to see you there, Simten."

"To the Bourgault Family: Our deepest sympathies on the loss of your Louise. Brian and Jackie"

"Jim and I are saddened at this sudden loss of a very prolific and creative woman. Louise contributed in so many different aspects to the university community and she will be deeply missed. Our thoughts go out to Neil and her family at tis time."

"Dear Aunt Louise - I have always been envious of your zeal for living and how you had a special gift for being able to enjoy each day to the fullest. Whether traveling to some far-off land, or just visiting with Becky at Rosas kitchen table, or writing books and being a world renowned professoryou have always made the most of each day, and that is truly the secret to what life is all about! Each day of your life was jam packed, and you never wasted a sinlge moment. You truly knew how to be a leader; and to live, to laugh, and to love. You will be missed more than you can ever know. It has been a great honor and privilege being your niece! You will always remain in my heart and in my mind. Love, Michaela"

"Louise was special. She had spunk, a positive, "can do" attitude, and she really, really cared, and she never stopped pushing to make things better, especially for those who had the short end of the stick."

"I send my deep condolences. I admired Louise very much. She was a true inspiration to all of us who were at NMU. She will be remembered by all she touched."

"Louise's death is devastating. She lived her ideals to the hilt and made such a mark in West Africa, a place close to our hearts. The university and indeed the world will be smaller without her flamboyant presence."

"Louise was one of my favorite colleagues at NMU. She was always kind, supportive of others, insightful in her comments, and just plain nice to be around. I will miss her smile and presence in the NMU family. My heart goes out to her family. Suzanne Standerford, Dept. of ED"

"Louise and Neil have been part of my life in Marquette for longer than i can remember, and her premature departure is a real loss to all of us who cherished her vitality and political activism. She was a human dynamo and a very caring person. May her energies and global activism inspire all those who can carry on her work. I will miss her very much, and hope Neil can find comfort in the admiration we all felt for her."

"I recite a verse from the Qoran which I had shared with my friend, Louise, at one of our many memorable conversations. "We are all from God, and to him we continue our journey of return". Peace my friend. Mohey"

"My Aunt Louise lived beyond herself each and every day. Hers was an insatiable joie de vie. Although it is truly impossible to imagine life without her, we must take comfort in knowing that she uniquely made the world a better place - a legacy that is certain to endure."

"Louise was an amazingly productive force at Northern Michigan University where I was fortunate to be her colleague. A huge emptiness will be felt at the university for some time. She was one who truly made a difference."

"Farewell to a very classy lady, one whose work will live on."