Linda Hernandez Riviere

Linda Hernandez Riviere passed away on Friday, June 2, 2017 at the age of 68. Beloved wife of Monroe J. Riviere for 50 years. Loving mother of Tracy Stout (Terry) and Stacy Morlier (Jeffrey). Daughter of the late Joseph and Ethel Stinson Hernandez. Sister of Dorothy Young, Joseph Hernandez and Bruce Hernandez. Proud grandmother of Austin Stout, Emily Stout, Abby Morlier and Molly Morlier. Also survived by nieces, nephews and her dear best friend Lorraine Pell. Linda was born on August 25, 1948 in New Orleans, LA and was a longtime resident of St. Bernard Parish. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends and dozens of children she cared for in her home over the past 25 years. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation to be held at ST. BERNARD MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 701 W. Virtue St., Chalmette, LA on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will begin at 12:00 PM. Interment will be private.

A Celebration of a Life Well lived

Good morning everyone and thank you for coming today to share in the celebration of Linda’s life.

How we each measure a well lived life would certainly be different for all of us. As I reflect on Aunt Linda’s life and how she may feel about her own life, I am comforted knowing that she spent her life doing exactly what she loved doing. She loved her family and spending time with them always. It was a perfect day for her when she was home with the love of her life, her beautiful daughters and her 4 wonderful grandchildren. It was an even better day if her dear friends Bobby and Lorraine, or Billie and Gilbert were there. I recall such fond memories of her laughing and joking surrounded by those who loved her most. I recall her 50th birthday party hosted at the Pell’s home and thinking that she was the most glowing birthday girl. That glow came from her inner happiness and beauty. I remember trips to Pensacola Beach where she looked better at 40 in her bikini than us young girls did in ours! Uncle Mon was so proud to call her his beautiful bride! I think of them as one of the world’s true love stories. A real genuine love, through ups and downs, through sickness and in health. From young kids in love until this past week, holding hands and praying together as they honored their promises to God 50 years ago..to honor and cherish each other until death did they part. I believe it was said best by her granddaughter Emily… #relationship goals.

A strong role model for her daughters and Grandchildren. I looked up to her for teaching her girls and her grandchildren to be loving, and strong at the same time. I always admired her honesty and her openness with us girls. We could talk to her about anything and she would keep it confidential. She always had the right thing to say to make you realize whatever the hurdle, you would overcome it and be stronger for having traveled the journey. She has instilled those values in her beautiful daughters and in them has left a legacy for them to carry on with their own children and grandchildren.

I can only recall a handful of times that I visited, or went to functions, or vacationed with Aunt Linda when she was not accompanied by her dearest friend, Lorraine. I remember that they grew up together, married and had children very close to each other, grocery shopped and ran errands every Saturday, and walked a thousand miles around the neighborhood together. I can’t think of a stronger friendship, there for each other through thick and thin. I always called them Thelma and Louise! partners in crime, the dynamic duo!

Many of our families were touched by Aunt Linda in such a profound way, The Stout’s, the Morlier’s, the Riviere’s, the Martinez’s, the Neal’s, the Beyers, all have a special piece of Aunt Linda to take with us through our entire lives…. The lasting love and lessons she taught our children. She taught our children how to share, and play nice, and kiss and make up, and eat their red beans! She taught them discipline and kindness, she kissed their bo-bos and her den was littered with their very first pieces of art. What is so amazing about that… is she did this for two generations and all of our children are who they are today… because of her.

As we bid our sweet Honey, Mama, Aunt Linda, Mimi, Ninna an earthly goodbye- keep all of your own fond memories of her in your heart, continue her legacy through our children, and know that we will all be together again someday…