Bernadette Mary Lehmann LaBiche

Bernadette Mary Lehmann LaBiche, aka “Mawme Bea”, passed away peacefully at 90 years of age on August 30, 2018, following a long battle with Alzheimers. She was a lifelong resident of the greater New Orleans area, born and raised in the Irish Channel of New Orleans as the only daughter of Frances Agnes McConnon Lehmann and Gustave Joseph Lehmann. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Carleton Mathew LaBiche; and her brothers, Gustave Joseph Lehmann (Norma) and John Joseph Lehmann (Phyllis). She is survived by her children, Michael Carleton LaBiche (Victoria Sorto) and Jane Elizabeth LaBiche Davis (Thomas, aka Tad); her grandchildren, Christopher Michael LaBiche, Jennifer Lynn LaBiche Lemoine (Lori), and Stacey Marie Harrell Russ (Brad); and her great grandchildren, Aiden Christopher LaBiche, Dylan Phillip Lemoine, Connor Augustin Lemoine, Brodie Anne Russ, Bevin Leigh Russ, and Bradley Runyan Russ. She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews.

She graduated from Redemptorist High School in 1946 and relocated to New Orleans’ Ninth Ward in 1949, upon her Valentine’s Day marriage to Carleton LaBiche. Her son Michael was born in 1953 and her daughter Jane in 1956. Upon the tragic loss of her husband in 1957, Bernadette persevered. She learned to drive the recently idle 1953 Chevy, working as much as possible while raising her two children. She eventually began working for New Orleans Public Service and retired in 1988. She never remarried, dedicating her life to her children and their families.

She was very much loved by all who knew her and we will continue to miss her very much. I say continue to miss her, because Alzheimers took her away from us long before God took her soul. She is in a better place now and hopefully has been reunited with her husband who preceded her in death by 61 years.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 6, at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd. Metairie, LA. Visitation will be held from 10AM-1PM with a funeral mass at 1PM. Interment will follow in St. Roch Cemetery.