Kathleen Whaley Rousseau

Kathleen Mary Whaley Rousseau, born April 6, 1939, was a native of White Castle and resident of Paincourtville. She earned her heavenly reward Sunday, March 13, 2022. Her zest for life and generous personality brought love and joy to those around her.

She was a person of many talents and shared those talents generously with her family, many friends, and her community. She made many happy memories with others making crafts, painting, woodworking, sewing, embroidering, and quilting. She had a tenacious spirit, which undoubtedly gave her the courage and determination to face whatever challenges came her way.

A natural born leader, she served on and presided over the St. Elizabeth parish council and was chairperson of the St. Elizabeth Harvest Festival for several years. She was a eucharistic minister and distributed ashes on Ash Wednesday, and she was a member of the St. Elizabeth Mother’s Club, Ladies Altar Society, Bereavement Committee, and the committee to establish St. Elizabeth’s first mausoleum.

She graduated as salutatorian of the 1957 class of White Castle High School where she was captain of her high school basketball team. She attended Spencer Business Community College and began her professional career working for the State of Louisiana Department of Revenue then the federal draft board. During her time employed with the Agricultural Stabalization and Conservation Service for Assumption Parish, she received the National Newsletter Award for Most Improved, presented in Louisville, KY in 1977. For many years, she served as executive officer for her family’s sugar cane business where her strong organizational and business skills ensured that she continued her father’s and grandfather’s legacies.

She had a deep faith in Christ which sustained her throughout her life. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Owen and Ella Whaley. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Jerry; children Tonya (Kenny) Landry and Todd; grandchildren Ryan and Ross Landry and Kristi Politz; great-grandchildren Layla, Kameron, and Lucy Politz; and sister Meredith Whaley.

Special thanks go to Dr. Charles Bolotte and his staff for his many years of caring for Kathleen. Also special thanks to the staffs at Thibodaux Regional Health System and St. Joseph’s Hospice.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 18, 2022 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Paincourtville from 11am til time of service. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12pm on Friday, March 18, 2022 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.oursoDonaldsonville.com for the Rousseau family.