Velma Lou LeBlanc Lequeux

Velma Lou LeBlanc Lequeux, 85, passed away on June 29, 2009, in Austin, TX. She was born to Julius Clersay LeBlanc and Stella Viator LeBlanc on March 20, 1924, in Port Arthur, TX. Lou married Malcolm Francis Lequeux on June 25, 1944, in Port Arthur. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Malcolm, who passed away June 5, 2009. Survivors include her sister, Trilby LeBlanc Arceneaux; children, Blayne Lequeux and wife Barbara, Diane Lequeux Van Kempen and husband Jay, Lydia Lequeux Dombrowski and ex-husband Donald, and Julie Lequeux Ewald and husband John; grandchildren, Karen Lequeux Pfeifer and husband Daren, David Lequeux and wife Elizabeth Foo, Suzanne Lequeux, Tracey Van Kempen, Katherine Dombrowski and husband George McCullough, Elizabeth Dombrowski, John Ewald and wife Brigid Spackman, and Jennifer Ewald Green and husband Matthew; and great-granddaughters, Beth and Sarah Green. Lou grew up in Erath, LA. She was the first in her family to receive a high school diploma, graduating from Erath High School in 1940 at the age of 16. In 1943, she earned a BA from Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now University of Louisiana, Lafayette), and in 1965, she received a Master's of Education from Lamar University. Lou left a legacy of learning and a passion for music. She was proud that all of her children and grandchildren earned college degrees. She encouraged and patiently endured her children's many hours practicing piano and band instruments. She was her children's greatest cheerleader! For 23 years, Lou was a dedicated music, P.E. and classroom teacher in the Port Arthur Independent School District. Velma Lou and Malcolm were active members of St. Theresa Catholic Church and Bible Study Fellowship in Austin. Lou remained involved in the Delta Kappa Gamma honorary teaching fraternity, and in both the Texas and the Austin Retired Teachers Associations. The Texas Secretary of State recognized her work as an active member of Project Vote (1991-1994). She served both as legislative chair and president of the Austin chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). Lou was an avid photographer and dancer. Beginning with her first Kodak Brownie camera, Lou "recorded the moment," sending annotated prints to everyone in her photos. Lou and Mac attended monthly Sunday jazz sessions of the Austin Traditional Jazz Society, of which she was named "official photographer" and life member. She also participated in Line Dancing, "Gayla's Gals," and Jazzercise for over 30 years. Her philosophy was "If you can dance, you can have fun everywhere." She continued to dance and move with the music throughout her life. The family offers their deepest appreciation for the warm care provided to Velma Lou by the many doctors, nurses and caregivers from Westminster Manor Health Care Center, The Medical Team, DaVita Dialysis Center, Seton Hospital, and Heart to Heart Hospice. We are particularly indebted to Melwyn Cypress, who was devoted to both Velma Lou and Malcolm for three years. A memorial mass for Lou and Malcolm will be held on August 1, 2009, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, in Erath, LA. They will be interred in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Velma Lou's name to the Kidney Foundation, 30 E. 33rd St. New York, NY 10016, www.kidney.org/support/makegift/index.cfm, or to the charity of your choice.