It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of May Claire Brassard, age 89, of Beaumont, Texas. She peacefully left this life on December 7, 2008.
May was born on August 15, 1919, in Manchester, New Hampshire to Arthur C. Wurtele and Corine Gaudet Wurtele, one of four children. Only 4 foot 11 inches tall and perfectly petite, she seemed absolutely tiny in stature. What May lacked in height and size, however, she certainly made up for in heart, personality and integrity.
She married Dr. Gerald Maurice Brassard, D.C. on September 27, 1941, in Manchester, New Hampshire and they shared more than fifty-five years together. His work in the Chiropractic profession took them and their family to Beaumont, Texas.
Upon opening a Chiropractic practice in Beaumont, Texas in 1949, May became her husband’s office receptionist for three years to help establish the practice. She then worked with a local company to further assist the family. May was later named Office Manager and worked for the same company for twenty-one years.
Her greatest joy was being a homemaker, supporting her husband, and raising their two sons, Richard and Raymond. Her favorite things to do were cooking wonderful meals for family, relatives and friends, knitting, crocheting, macramé, fishing and traveling. She also had a deep love for all animals. Wherever she would go, May could be spotted taking time out for an animal. She deeply loved her RV companion Petitou (a miniature poodle), and in her declining years, Aiden, her beloved, blue-eyed, white-haired cat.
In support of her husband’s profession, May became very involved in state and national Chiropractic associations. She was President of the Texas Chiropractic Women’s Auxiliary and is the only person, nationally, to have ever been elected as the American Chiropractic Auxiliary President for four terms. She received highest honors from both Chiropractic Associations, including the Texas Chiropractic “Woman of the Year” and the Kennedy Award.
May was also deeply involved with local civic organizations including the American Legion Auxiliary, Kiwanitas (Ladies of Kiwanis), BPOE Elks Auxiliary and Cub Scouts. In addition, she was a long-time member of St. Anne’s and St. Jude’s Thaddeus Catholic Churches.
For many years, May was very active in political activities and was proud to attend the Presidential Inaugurations of Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. May and Gerald relocated to Washington, D.C. for almost ten years while her husband worked as Executive Vice President of the American Chiropractic Association.
In later years, May and her husband enjoyed doting on grandchildren and pets, traveling to every state and province in the United States and Canada, participating in round and square dancing and enjoying life to its fullest.
May is survived by her two sons, Dr. Richard Brassard, President of Texas Chiropractic College in Pasadena, Texas and Beaumont Attorney Raymond Brassard and his wife Janice; six grandchildren, Michelle Golden Kirk (Walter), DeNae Brassard Lee (Gregg), Tracy Brassard Holst (Keith), Brenden Brassard, Bryan Brassard (Genevieve), and Britten Brassard; four great grandchildren, Kristopher Guidry, Randi Golden, Taylor Golden and Kailani Golden; and two great great grandchildren, Trevin Guidry and Kamrion Guidry. May was also survived by her two sisters, Edna Landry, Marcel Mason (Wally); and brother, Edgar Wurtele (Blanche); as well as many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; by her loving husband, Jerry; her brother-in-law, Roger E. Brassard and his wife Anita Brassard; and her sister-in-law, Lucille Gauthier and her husband Lucien Gauthier.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 12, 2008 at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church with Entombment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. Brenden Brassard, Bryan Brassard, Britten Brassard, Gregg Lee, Bob Jardine, Victor Sherburda, Scott Landry, and Walter, Kirk, Jr. will serve as pallbearers. A Christian Vigil will be 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 11, 2008 at the Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations, if desired may be made to St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church Memorial Fund, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77706 or Texas Chiropractic College, 5912 Spencer Highway, Pasadena Texas 77505.
May’s influence and spirit will live on in the hearts of those whom she loved and those who loved her.
