Aileen Calais Andrus

Aileen was born to Aminte and Adley Calais in Breaux Bridge, LA where she grew up. She graduated salutatorian from St. Bernard Catholic School. She graduated from Lafayette School of Beauty Culture as a certified beautician. It was at Mulate’s in Breaux Bridge where she met E.C. “Porter” Andrus and they danced through the night. Aileen, with two children from a previous marriage, Tommy and Tina LeBlanc, married Porter on May 14, 1955 and together had two children, Winn and Todd Andrus. After her marriage to Porter, they moved to Lafayette, LA. They moved to Lake Charles, LA in 1964 after purchasing Alta Printing Company. They were parishioners of St. Margaret’s Catholic Church where they printed the weekly church bulletins and offered other printing jobs as donations. They later moved to Sulphur, LA, and were parishioners of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church where she was an active member from 1973-2003. She was VP and Membership Chairman of Ladies of La Salette, eucharistic minister, lector at mass, member of the church choir, prayer group, Parish Council, member of Catholic Daughters, and made many rosaries and baptismal bibs by hand. After Porter’s death, Aileen moved to Houston to live with her sister Audrey and brother-in-law James KB Nelson. She resided at Eagles Trace Senior Living from March 2015 until her death.

She was a great role model, businesswoman, entrepreneur, bookkeeper, coiffure artist, amazing seamstress, avid reader, horticulturist, and talented dancer. She was also a self-assured, confident, compassionate, wonderful mother, wife, and friend who was extraordinarily faith filled. She was a beautician for over 70 years and volunteered her time to cut hair at the orphanage and nursing homes.

She loved her family “a bushel and a peck” and treasured spending time with them while cooking one of her “cuisinier exceptionnel” meals. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with all her heart. She was the epitome of Cajun sass with a fierce personality.

She is survived by her children Tina LeBlanc Sadoski and husband Ed, E.C. “Winn” Andrus Jr. and wife Sherry, and Todd Andrus. Her grandchildren Kain LeBlanc Russo, Holly Sadoski Campagna and husband Nick, Lindsey Andrus Horaist and husband Matthew, Austin Andrus and Michael Andrus. Great grandchildren Kourtney Russo, Abriella and Amelia Campagna. Nieces and nephews Marie and husband Neal Trahan, Rick Patin, Whit Patin, Tony and wife Suzy Patin, Cecile and husband Raymond Guidry, Billy and wife Dana Patin, Pam Gibbens, Ricky and wife Kathy Young, Steven Young, Susan and husband Bob Roberts, Kathy Davis Dixon, Felicia Nelson, sister-in-law Margaret Ann Andrus Young, brother-in-law James KB Nelson and wife Eddie and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Aileen is preceded in death by her husband E.C. “Porter” Andrus, her son Tommy LeBlanc, her parents Aminte and Adley Calais, sister Jeanne Calais Patin and husband Fred Patin, sister Audrey Calais Nelson, granddaughter Michelle Sadoski, niece Renee Patin, nephews Michael Davis and David Davis, and sister-in-law Jane Andrus Davis, and brothers-in-law Merrick Young and John Davis.

A Funeral Mass for Aileen Andrus will be held Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at 10:30 AM CDT at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, TX 77079. Rev. R. Troy Gatley, Pastor will conduct the funeral service. Family and friends are invited for Visitation and Rosary on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, from 5 PM to 7 PM at MEMORIAL OAKS FUNERAL HOME, 13001 Katy Freeway Houston, TX 77079 with a Rosary at 7 PM. Memorial contributions can be made to a charity of your choice.