Madeline Hebert McLean

Mary Madeline Hebert McLean, age 70, was a much-loved longtime Baton Rouge resident. Born in Baton Rouge November 22, 1951, she died December 5, 2021 of kidney disease. Preceded in death by her husband James Spencer McLean, her parents A. Leon and Lorelle Seal Hebert, her brother A. Leon Hebert III, and her sister Carmelite Hebert Blanco. Survived by her sisters Lula Hebert Pride, Barbara Hebert Willis, Maurine Hebert Pyle, Noël Hebert Prescott, her brother P. Michael Hebert, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. She was the seventh of the eight Hebert children. She was a graduate of University High School where she was President of Y-Teens, an athletic sponsor, a member of National Honor Society, a representative to Pelican Girls State, and a member of the girls’ chorus. She loved to sing, and her voice brought joy to many people. Showing an early bent for social justice, she led the effort to associate the school’s Y-Teens chapter with the national YWCA to enable inclusion of African American members. After receiving an undergraduate degree from LSU, she entered the LSU Law School where she was a member of the Law Review. Deciding not to practice law, she obtained a Master’s Degree in Library Science from the University of Chicago, following which she joined the staff of the Dean Paul M. Hebert Law Center of LSU as a reference librarian, a position she held for many years. She was popular with faculty and students alike. A kind and compassionate person, she participated in the Franciscan community, served as a CASA volunteer, was a Eucharistic Minister at Christ the King Chapel, served as a volunteer at St. Aloysius Church, and counseled a prisoner at the Angola state penitentiary. One of her core interests was self-help, and she served on national committees of Recovery International. She was a friend of Bill W. Graveside interment will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 13 at Roselawn Memorial Park, 4045 North Street, Baton Rouge. Masks required. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Recovery International, an organization that advocates for better mental health, 1415 W. 22nd St., Tower Floor, Oak Brook, IL 60523 or to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Baton Rouge, 220 St. Vincent de Paul Place, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802.