Louise Mele

Louise "Sue" Mele, age 87, passed away on Thursday, August 21, 2008 in Lakeway, Texas. Sue, as she was known all her life, was born on November 13, 1920 to Evelina Marie Breaud and Charles Joseph Tassin, Sr. and raised in Edgard, Louisiana. She was one of 14 children. She lived her adult life in New Orleans with her husband of 58 years, Edward J. Mele. She was evacuated to Santa Monica, California after Hurricane Katrina in September 2005. She attended Hotel Dieu Nursing School in New Orleans, Louisiana, graduating in 1942 with a Registered Nurse degree. She was an American Red Cross nurse during WWII. While raising her family, she worked as a surgical nurse at Hotel Dieu Hospital, until her retirement in 1970. She assisted the Louisiana Nursing Board with its examination process for many years. She was active in parish work at St. Raphael and St. Dominic's Catholic Churches in New Orleans. She was devoted to her large family and many friends, serving as the family and neighborhood nurse. She did everything well especially cooking, to the delight of all invited to her table. Quiet and unassuming she was a beacon of love, devotion, faith, stability, good sense, and humor. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward J. Mele; son, Melvin Paul Mele; brothers, Marcel, Charles Jr., Rene, Robert; sisters, Florence, Lucile, Edna, Inez, Jeanne, Yvonne. Sue is survived by her children, Thomas Joseph Mele and wife Helen of Houston, Texas, Geraldine Marie Dart and husband Daniel F. of Dripping Springs, Texas, Philip Anthony Mele of New Orleans, Louisiana; two grandchildren, Angele Conolley, Kolby Mele and wife Hillary; and two great-grandchildren of Birmingham, Alabama; three siblings, twin Mathilde "Pat" McGinty of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Anthony Tassin of Sun City, Arizona, Maylin Lebeuf of New Orleans; and many nieces and nephews A memorial service is planned at St. Dominic's Church for the end of the week. Please see Wednesday's obituary for service details.