Raye Broussard Beck

Raye was born at home in Cow Island, Louisiana, on December 26, 1926, to Joseph Sulie Broussard and Alice Mae Sagrera Broussard. She was reared speaking both French and English, and she often translated for her classmates. She graduated as valedictorian of Ernest J. Broussard High School in 1943 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Foods and Nutrition from Louisiana State University in 1947. Raye interned at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1948 and acquired her American Dietetic Association membership there. Over the years, she was employed as a registered dietitian by Charity Hospital and Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans, East Baton Rouge School Food Service, and LSU Geology Summer Camp in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 1946, while a student at Louisiana State University, Raye Broussard met John Beck, who had just returned from serving in World War II. They met during a social function at the Newman Center at Christ the King Catholic Church, and he proposed marriage that very night. Raye and John wed in 1949, embarking on a marriage of 67 years. They built a home together during the first year of their marriage, the first of many projects they accomplished together, including the addition of nine children to the post-war Baby Boom. In celebration of their fiftieth wedding anniversary, they renewed their marriage vows in 1999.

Raye was preceded in death by her husband, John William Beck, Sr; two brothers, Joseph Sulie Broussard, Jr. and Frances Jasper Broussard; two sisters, Rachael Ann LeBlanc and Mary Laura Capozzoli; son-in-law, Felix Battistella; and great-grandson, Warren Hatcher.

She is survived by her nine children and their spouses: John William Beck, Jr. and Pamela Pafford, Michael James Beck, Mary Alice Beck Rupley-Rathe and Richard Rathe. Stephen Patrick Beck and Lesa Eiserloh-Beck, Thomas Joseph Beck and Beth Bordelon, Christine Margaret Beck-Battistella, Martha Ann Beck Upton and Mark Upton, Ralph Martin Beck and Killeen Anderson, and James Edward Beck and Susan Beck. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren, Rachael Upton, Emily Upton, Katherine Rupley-Carter, John Rupley, Anne LaFramboise, Claire Battistella, Mar Battistella, Christine Beck, Robert Beck, Camille Beck, and Anne Hatcher, and five great-grandchildren, Julian Michael, Lillianne Hatcher, Amelia LaFramboise, Sloane Carter, and Finley Carter.

Raye was a founding member of and an active parishioner for many years at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, serving as a member of the St. Vincent De Paul chapter at St. Jude and as a member of the St. Jude Prayer Line and various Bible study groups.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 14th at St. Jude from 9am until Mass of Christian Burial at 11am. Services conducted by the Reverend Trey Nelson. Interment following the service at St. George Catholic Church Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church or Capital Area CASA Association.