Marilyn Nell Bourgeois Hess passed away August 3, 2026 in New Roads, Louisiana, age 98. She was born August 23, 1927, in Mission, Texas to Clarence Cledamont Bourgeois and Dolores Margaret Nash Bourgeois. She was the oldest of three children. The family later relocated to Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana. Marilyn married Alexander Leo “Pete” Hess, Jr. and they made their home in Morganza, Louisiana. She earned a BS degree from Southwestern Louisiana University (now University of Louisiana Lafayette), and a Master’s of Social Work degree from Louisiana State University. She had a career as a social worker in Pointe Coupee Parish, starting in the social services bureau accounting office before obtaining her social work credentials. She became director of Pointe Coupee social services where she served until retirement. She then worked for Pupil Appraisal in Pointe Coupee schools for several more years.
During her lifetime, Marilyn was active in St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Morganza, the Catholic Daughters, the DAR, Red Hat Society, and the Book Club. She and friends created the Good Neighbors, a local charity that operated for many years to help with needs including transportation for medical care, household emergencies, food donations.
In later years, Marilyn was eager to travel to visit relatives and trace genealogy, and she helped organize a gathering of the Bourgeois family at Laura Plantation. She could trace her ancestry to the original Acadians in Nova Scotia and their ancestors in France.
She had many cousins and extended family, with whom she kept in close touch most of her life, visiting and hosting these cousins as recently as her 90th birthday in 2017 and this spring.
Marilyn Hess is survived by her daughter Jean Hess, son Alexander Leo Hess, III (wife Frances), grandson Corwin Alexander Hess (wife Amanda), great-grandson Macallan Joseph Hess, son-in-law Gerard Wimberly (wife Mathilde) of Louisiana and many cousins including first cousins Jim Rome, CJ Rome (Diane), of Texas, and Gordon Rome of Tennessee, and other relatives primarily in Texas and Louisiana.
Marilyn was predeceased by her parents, her husband Alexander Hess Jr., her sister Stephanie Bourgeois, her brother Allen Marvin Bourgeois, Jr, her daughter Mona Hess, and many other beloved family members.
Arrangements are through Niland’s Funeral Home, New Roads, Louisiana.
Family and friends are warmly invited to gather in remembrance and celebration of Marilyn's life. Religious services will be held on August 26, 2026, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 182 Church Road, Morganza, Louisiana. Visitation will occur 9-10:30 AM, Rosary by Catholic Daughters 10:30 AM, and Mass at 11 AM. Following the Mass, a brief inurnment service will be held at the gravesite for the family.
Memorials may be made to St. Ann’s Catholic Church or the American Heart Association. Flowers are also welcome and appreciated.
