Marie Louise Burguières
July 18, 1878 - June 19, 1972
Louise was born at Cypremort Plantation in the home that still stands today. She was educated with her siblings by tutors and then attended the first parochial school for girls in the United States, St. Joseph's Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. It was founded in 1809 by Elizabeth Ann Seton who was later canonized as the first U.S. saint. On Sunday, July 3, 1898 the Times Picayune reported the news: "Mr. J. M. Burguières returned last week from Emmitsburg, MD where he went to attend the graduation of his daughter. Misses Florence and Louise Burguières passed through New Orleans during the week to attend the marriage of their brother en route from Emmitsburg to their plantation house in New Iberia." Louise continued her education in Paris, France.
It is believed that Louise met her future husband through the business connections of her brothers. John Quintain Syme was from a prominent Newfoundland family originally from Scotland. He immigrated to Chicago and become a sugar broker. On February 23, 1906 she married John in Manhattan, New York. Rev. Father Murphy performed the ceremony at the Cathedral Refectory. After their marriage, Louise settled in Chicago and became stepmother to 10-year-old Arthur Melville Quintain Syme. Arthur was John's son from his first marriage to Fanny Cochrane Pitts who died in childbirth with their second child in 1900.
On December 2, 1906 the only child of Louise and John Syme was born. She was named Marie Louise Syme. Louise and her daughter visited New Orleans often over the next twenty years, eventually moving there when Louise and John divorced in the late 1920s. Louise was involved in a variety of charities, enjoyed golf, travel and the social aspects of life in the city. She died June 19, 1972 at the age of 93.
John Quintain Syme
April 7, 1869 - January 26, 1931
Children
Marie Louise and John had one child.
- Marie Louise Syme
