Cynthia Burley Duhon

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left but could say, I used everything You gave me. (Erma Bombeck) Cynthia Burley Duhon, 73, passed away peacefully Friday, October 10, 2014, at The Carpenter House of St. Joseph Hospice in Baton Rouge. She was born in Abbeville on December 23, 1940, a native of Youngsville and a resident of Baton Rouge. Visitation will be at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, Highland Road at Gardere Lane, Baton Rouge, on Monday, October 13, 2014, from 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. with prayer service and recitation of the rosary by the CDA Court #2063 Regina Coeli at 7:00 p.m. Additional visitation will be at St. Anne Catholic Church in Youngsville, LA, on Tuesday, October 14, 2014, from 11:30 am until Mass of Christian burial at 1:30 p.m. followed by internment in the church cemetery. She was a retired Executive Secretary of the Acadiana Legislative Delegation, and Secretary of the Interim Emergency Board. Prior employment was in the Governor's Office, the LA Department of Agriculture&Forestry, the National Office of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and as Secretary to the First Bishop of Baton Rouge. Cynthia was valedictorian of the 1958 Youngsville High School class and received a secretarial science certification from SLI, now UL-Lafayette. Cynthia's life was filled with love for her family and friends. She bridged the miles between her family members, sharing good news and achievements, as well as news of sorrow. As an employee, Cynthia was committed to excellence in all of her duties. She was a founding member of St. Jude the Apostle Church, Baton Rouge, where she was a former Eucharistic Minister and long-time parish fair worker. She was also the Charter Regent of CDA Court Regina Coeli, No. 2063, Baton Rouge; UL-L Alumni Association; lifetime member of the Wildwood Elementary PTA, Baton Rouge; member of Krewe des Amis, Youngsville; member and past officer of the Pollard Estates Civic Association. Cynthia was the recipient of the Louisiana Distinguished Civilian Award (1995) and the Louisiana Cross of Merit (2004) from the Louisiana National Guard; named Family of the Month (August 2007) by St. Jude KC Council #9692; named Catholic Daughter of the Year twice. Cynthia is survived by sons, Troy Duhon and wife Donna, of Denham Springs and Todd Duhon of Baton Rouge; and a daughter, Tela Duhon, Baton Rouge; two granddaughters, Olivia and Sophia Duhon. Also survived by sisters Brenda Burley, Youngsville; Deborah Burley and wife, Toni, of Jacksonville, FL, brothers F.M. Marion Burley, III and wife Billie; William C. Bill Burley and wife Tina; and Benjamin F. Burley and wife, Debra, all of Youngsville. Other survivors include sister-in-law Gloria Duhon of Youngsville and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by her husband Robert C. "Bobby" Duhon; parents F.M., Jr. and Maudry Meaux Burley, Youngsville; paternal grandparents Francis Marion and Regina Theriot Burley, Youngsville; maternal grandparents, William J. and Elda Mouton Meaux, Perry. Pallbearers will be Guy Broussard, Youngsville; Bay Ingram, Covington; Joseph A. Mapes, Port Allen; Chris Perry, Covington; Lionel Smith, Metairie and Scott Statham, Mandeville. Honorary pallbearers will be V. J. Bella, Armand J. Brinkhaus, Andrew Dreher, Clyde W. Kimball, Terry C. Landry, Charlie J. Melancon, Edgar G. Mouton, Jr., A. M. Buddy Stroud, Daniel Wilson, Randy K. Haynie and Clarence Russ. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph Hospice Foundation, 17732 Highland Road, Suite G, Box 241, Baton Rouge, LA 70810 or Catholic Daughters Court Regina Coeli #2063 c/o St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 9150 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70810. Cynthia's family would like to thank Sandy Mapes, her longtime and faithful friend, for her unconditional love and friendship. They would also like to express heartfelt thanks to St. Joseph Hospice, especially Penny Perkins and those who ministered to her during her illness. She referred to them as her "angels" on earth.