Lois Hoffmann LeBlanc

Lois Hoffmann LeBlanc, 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, January 17th. She grew up in St. Gabriel, graduating from high school in 1959 with 18 total students. One of those students turned out to be the love of her life, Stan. The story goes that they met in strollers at Aunt Dot’s house. But their real love began in the 6th grade when Stan returned to St. Gabriel. And the rest is history with 59 years of marriage.

She attended LSU where she earned a bachelor’s degree in French education and master’s in library science. Upon graduation she worked at Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, MD.

She returned to Louisiana and worked as a librarian at Ethyl Corporation. She later opened the first St. Gabriel library and the bookmobile to serve the women’s prison. She then spent her career in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System, the majority of which was at McKinley High School.

She found joy in traveling and exploring new places. As a true foodie, she loved discovering new cuisines and inventing her own dishes, which she referred to as “food fun!”.

She was a voracious reader and could always be found with a book she checked out from the library in hand or on her Kindle. One of her favorite topics for reading was gardening. If she wasn’t reading about gardening, she was in her garden bringing to life vegetables, herbs and flowers, especially irises.

Some of her happiest days were spent at her family camp in Grand Isle, where she enjoyed long, peaceful hours on the beach, crabbing, and searching for beach treasures in the Gulf. Those simple moments watching the sunsets at the beach or on the porch of Blue Moon were her favorite.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Stanford E. LeBlanc; her children, Anne T. LeBlanc (David Lee) and Chip (Morgan); brother Tom Ed Hoffmann (Suzette); sister Sue Huff (Dan); brother-in-law Jimmy LeBlanc (Sarah) and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and family members.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Louis G. Hoffmann, Sr. and Jenny; bother L.G. Hoffmann and wife Elaine; in laws Melvin J. LeBlanc, Sr. and Sadie; brother-in-law Melvin J. LeBlanc, Jr. and wife Audry, Paul Cashio; and nephews Dale, Myles and Mike LeBlanc.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2025, at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church (3625 Hwy 75, St. Gabriel, LA 70776) from 9:30 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Entombment will follow at the St. Gabriel Catholic Cemetery.

Following, a reception will be held at Chatsworth Plantation (5755 Hwy 74, St. Gabriel, LA 70776)

In lieu of flowers, those who wish many make a memorial donation to the Baton Rouge Food Bank at brfoodbank.org or St. Vincet de Paul Society at svdpbr.net in honor of Lois H. LeBlanc. Thank you for remembering her with your kindness.