Frances Fontaine Bourque of Delray Beach FL, passed away peacefully at home on July 15, 2025 following a short battle with recurrent pancreatic cancer. Frances, 84, is survived by her devoted husband of 63 years, Dr. Robert G. Bourque, her 4 children, 9 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson. Andrew Bourque (Sandro) & Kira Brown; Chris Bourque (Charlie, Tyler, Bobby, Lucas); Nicole Wisniew (Francesca, Victor); Noel & Julie Bourque (Madison, Savanna).

Born to Charles & Marcelynn Fontaine in Belle Glade, FL on February 3, 1941, the eldest of six, she is survived by four siblings: her brother Andy Fontaine and 3 sisters, Mary-Helen (Rassi), Judy (Tom Deery), and Angel (Steven Welsh). She was predeceased by her brother, Joseph Fontaine.

Frances took immense pride in her four children and exposed them to various experiences while in St. Louis, MO and Portsmouth, VA where Bob trained for a career as an OBGYN. The family moved to Delray Beach in 1970 and Frances became known as "Momma Frances" to the neighborhood children and doted on them as if they were her own. She was the ultimate mom and a constant presence at sporting events, recitals, and activities. She transported many children in her BIG orange and white striped 1972 Ford van.

For a Florida girl, yearly family ski trips out west challenged her ability on the slopes but after a few lessons she was cruising the green and blue runs like a pro. Her love for the Bahamas was well known and family trips to her favorite old-time islands of Marsh Harbour, Man-O-War Cay, Hopetown, and Green Turtle Cay was a must each summer. She enjoyed living the "island life", turquoise water, and the Goombay Smash.

For a fiercely driven woman and when her children grew and became more independent, she filled her time by taking a job at a small ladies clothing store on Delray's Atlantic Ave called Sink'R Swim. This simple role ignited her business and fashion sense and Frances look west to a small and upcoming community called Wellington and in 1984 she opened Wellington's first all ladies clothing shop called Lady Wellington. Wellington was becoming known for its equestrian focus and Frances saw an opportunity to support the community and stepped into sponsoring a struggling polo team and the all Pink Lady Wellington Polo Team was born. Spending several years traveling from Delray to Wellington, Frances was constantly reminded of an ugly rundown piece of property. This property had three old buildings on it and was located in the center of town right on Delray's main street, Atlantic Ave. Surrounded by a chain linked fence, this rundown historic school was about to be torn down and developed.

Frances had a new calling and a vision for a city's center and meeting place for all to enjoy. With a renewed focus for her beloved Delray Beach and with the help of many local leaders who appreciated and admired her dedication to preserve the three old school buildings, the Old School Square Cultural Arts Center in downtown Delray Beach was born. The three derelict buildings, dating back to 1913, were in poor repair since the mid 1980s. Frances saw not abandoned structures but unlimited potential. With unwavering determination, she forged a task force that evolved into Old School Square, Inc., creating a cultural haven that became the heartbeat of downtown Delray Beach. Known for her passion and commitment to community, many words are used to describe Frances … Visionary, Preservationist, Community Builder. These words only begin to describe her and capture the profound impact she had on the Village by the Sea. Frances' lifelong dedication to preserving history, arts, education, and community continues to transform lives across South Florida and particularly in downtown Delray Beach.

Frances found her true calling in Delray Beach, where she began orchestrating one of the region's most remarkable rebirths. She envisioned more than preservation, she imagined a vibrant community, a gathering place where the arts and culture would flourish. Through her visionary leadership, this unique complex has garnered prestigious local, state, and national recognition for exceptional arts programming while catalyzing the revitalization of an entire downtown district. This single project put Delray on the map and in 1993 won its first of many awards, being recognized by the National Civic League as an All-American City. Followed again in 2001 and 2017.

Her extraordinary achievements extend far beyond this signature accomplishment. Frances has shaped Florida's societal landscape through her service on numerous prestigious boards and committees, including Florida Department of State Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, Historic Palm Beach County Preservation Board (Trustee), Florida Trust for Historic Preservation (Trustee and Membership Chairman), Preservation Action of Washington D.C. (Executive Committee and Acting Chairman), Bethesda Memorial Hospital (Executive Board Member), and Beach Property Owner's Association, Delray Beach (Board Member).

Frances's transformative contributions have earned her remarkable recognition, including the Delray Chamber Lifetime Achievement Award (2017), Distinguished Achievement Award from the University of Florida, Citizen Emeritus honor from the City of Delray Beach, Woman of Grace distinction by Bethesda Memorial Hospital Foundation, and Carl Reinhardt Award from the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 31, 2025 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at Lorne & Sons Funeral Home, 745 NE 6th Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33483. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, August 1, 2025, 10:30am at St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 840 George Bush Blvd, Delray Beach, FL 33483.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Frances F. Bourque Scholarship Fund which honors Frances' extraordinary legacy by nurturing the next generation of arts visionaries by igniting in students the same passion for creative expression and cultural preservation that has defined Frances' remarkable life of service. Click here to make an online donation .