Lauren Michelle Olinde

Lauren Michelle Savoy Olinde passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones on the morning of Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, following a courageous battle with melanoma. She blessed the world with an extraordinary smile and a delightful, uplifting spirit. Lauren was born on Feb. 18, 1984, in Baton Rouge. She attended Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School, was an honors graduate of St. Joseph's Academy, a student at LSU and president of the Delta Omega Chapter of Delta Delta Delta sorority. Lauren received her Doctorate of Pharmacy at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, where the Lauren Savoy Olinde Award has been established in her honor to benefit students who have overcome adversity. To those who know her best, her greatest accomplishment was the inspiration that she has instilled in her family, friends, and all those who have met her. Lauren's kindness and love for life will live on through the lives she has touched. Lauren is survived by her loving husband, Andrew Olinde Jr.; parents, Nancy and Michael Savoy; sister, Jennifer Savoie and husband Matthew; brother, Jacob Savoy and wife Leslie; grandmothers, Jessie Henchy and Pat Savoy; and 14 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Francis Henchy and Hebert Savoy, and her Parrain Russell Savoy. Visitation will be Monday, Jan. 23, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St. Visitation will resume on Tuesday at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 445 Marquette Ave., from 9 a.m. until Mass at 10 a.m. Interment will follow Mass at Resthaven Gardens of Memory, 11817 Jefferson Highway. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ULM COP Foundation, 1800 Bienville Drive, Monroe, LA 71201, which will fund the Lauren Savoy Olinde Award.