Frances Ann Chamberlain

While it is possible to receive good counsel from a wide circle of family and friends, few could do it with the skill and aptitude of Frances Ann Chamberlain. She had a true talent for helping others reach their full potential and brought out the best in those who sought her help. Frances was a forward-looking woman whose personality was filled with empathy toward everyone she met. She could be quiet and reserved, but her style of communication was authentic and direct. An excellent communicator, Frances was a master at using imagery when she explained her ideas and concepts. She seemed to have an endless supply of innovative concepts and strategies for how to help those around her. Her sensitivity, kindness and generous attitude made her a wonderful friend for all who knew her.

From the time she was born on July 6, 1940, Frances showed a deep concern for others. She was a giving and caring individual, ethical and full of integrity and warmth. Frances came into this world at Saint Patrick's Hospital in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Her parents were Bennie and Bessie Mistretta. Frances was raised in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Because fellowship was so important to her, Frances promoted harmony with her sibling. She was raised with one sibling, a younger brother, John Allen. Frances was something of the family diplomat. She helped to settle problems and conflicts and kept the family running smoothly.

As a young girl, Frances interacted well with other children. She was helpful. She was an independent person who had a vivid imagination. Frances had a number of interests in her youth. She was an active child. In her spare time she liked playing hopscotch, jax’s and paper dolls.

A good student who was enthusiastic about learning, Frances was considered by many to be a high achiever. She graduated from St. Charles Academy in 1959. She enjoyed some classes more than others, having favorite courses and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was Home Economics.

Able to maintain a positive focus on the potential good to be found in others, Frances was always ready with solid advice and guidance to offer her group of friends. She was generally friendly to all who knew her, yet to some she seemed quite independent. For those who really knew Frances, they recognized that she could be full of surprises. Frances enjoyed a small but solid group of true friends. She would willingly support those friends when they needed it. Because of her ability to read people, she had an uncanny knack for knowing when a friend needed help. While growing up, some of her best friends were Maryanne Duhon, Frances Teranova, Delores Rhame, Helen Rhame and Manove Rhame. Later in life, she became friends with Dean and Weldon Hoffpauir and Ruth and Buck Dailey.

Frances was romantic, even poetic at times. She was completely devoted to family and friends, able to show her emotions without going overboard about it. On June 20, 1959 Frances exchanged wedding vows with the love of her life and high school sweetheart Everett Chamberlain at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

All who knew her would agree that there was a certain kind of magic in how Frances was able to bond with her children. While she could be a firm disciplinarian, she could also fill the role of being a collaborator with her kids. Frances was always a mentor who helped her family reach its full potential. Frances was blessed with four children, two sons, Kenneth Joseph and Joseph Gerard, and two daughters, Catherine Ann and Terri Elizabeth. They were also blessed with 7 grandchildren, Ashley Nicole, Brittany Danielle, Courtney Michelle, Erica Darlene, Benjamin Everett, Bethany Elizabeth and Logan Bryce.

Frances projected a subtle but positive influence in her workplace. She was comfortable working behind the scenes to help everyone get their job done, and she worked hard at all times to help others to reach their highest potential. While her colleagues did not view her as a high-spirited type, Frances was effective at working with others to gain acceptance for her ideas. Frances could be a perfectionist at times, but wasn’t one to seek out personal recognitions. She possessed excellent insight and a strong ability to meet schedules. She was an innovator who worked well independently, and she enjoyed the task of meeting a constant array of challenges. Her primary occupation was a homemaker.

As an imaginative and inventive person, Frances was comfortable showing her creative spirit. She enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Once Frances took on a new project, she saw it through to its completion. As a young adult she enjoyed skating. Her favorite pursuits were traveling, fishing, bingo, talking on the phone, sewing and reading. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren which is something she cherished deeply. She enjoyed reading the bible and would say the rosary daily. She was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

Frances was one who put forth her best effort in every aspect of her life, and that carried over to her participation in sports as well. Her sense of diligence inspired others and in turn drew best efforts from her teammates. Frances was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were football and wrestling.

Because Frances was a person who enjoyed helping, teaching and working with others, she was a perfect fit for many types of organizations. Her ability to encourage others, energize the group and her ability to solve all sorts of problems made her a desirable member of a wide variety of organizations. In high school, Frances was a member of the yearbook club and 4-H.

Frances was a woman with clear convictions and high principles, and her faith was important to her. She was an inspiration to many people who recognized her sense of commitment and esteem for others. She received all her sacraments through the Immaculate Conception Cathedral and was a member there until 1977. In 1977, the family moved and she became a member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven. In 1997, she moved to Moss Bluff and was a member of St. Theodore's. She remained a member there until she entered the nursing home in January 2014.

Frances possessed strong skills in long-range planning and project completion, a quality that positively influenced her travel and vacation planning. Favorite vacations included Colorado, she loved it and went several times. Her favorite vacation was with her daughter and grandchildren. It was for 3 weeks where they went to San Antonio, Colorado, New Mexico and ended up in Juarez Mexico.

One of the hardest things Frances had to encounter was the loss of her first born son, Kenneth Joseph in March 1960 and then once again in March 1963 when she lost her infant daughter, Terri Elizabeth. Because of her deep belief in her faith she was able to get through these tragedies, but never really got over them.

On the evening of January 12, 2016, Frances Ann passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her daughter, Cathy Bergeron and her husband Darrel, son, Joseph Chamberlain, her grandchildren, Ashley Guillory and husband Jason, Brittany Aleman and husband Eric, Courtney, Erica, Benjamin, Bethany and Logan Bergeron, her great grandchildren that held the key to her heart, Nathan and Jase Guillory, Khristopher Bergeron and Addilynn Gary, brother, John A. Mistretta, Sr. and wife Joanne. A Mass of Chrisian Burial was held at Immaculate Conception Cathedral. Frances was laid to rest in Prien Memorial Park Cemetery in Lake Charles, Louisiana, next to her husband and infant children.

Though she could be a private person at times, Frances was always able and willing to give of herself. She was so in tune with others that she often seemed able to read their minds. Frances carried with her an almost mystical sense of life. She was a person who was highly original in her thinking and used metaphors and symbols to describe many aspects of her life. A poetic, intuitive “teacher”, Frances Ann Chamberlain shared herself freely and family and friends will remember Frances for the strength of her convictions. She will also be remembered as a loving and giving mother, grandmother and great grandmother.