Marcelle Richard

Marcelle Elise LeJeune Richard passed away Monday, Feb. 28, 2011, at the age of 96. She was the beloved wife of the late Harold Paul Richard Sr., an amazing wife, mother and grandparent, great-grandparent and great-great-grandparent, as well as friend and neighbor. Marcelle and her husband were the first residents on Bluebonnet Road, where their neighbors became long-lasting friends. She was residing at Lake Sherwood Village Assisted Living surrounded by loving family, friends and dedicated staff. She and her husband were members of St. George Parish for more than 50 years and were married for more than 66 loving years at the time of his death. She is survived by son, Harold Paul Richard Jr. and wife Chris; daughters, Anne Peterson and husband Pete, of Baton Rouge, and Pat Porto and husband Frank, of Marietta, Ga.; grandchildren, Shari Richard, of Baton Rouge, Reneé Meador and husband Dr. Michael Meador, of Reston, Va., Jill Jones and husband Dr. Brian Jones, of Baton Rouge, and Blake Porto and wife Jessica Parrish Porto, of Marietta; great-grandchildren, Stephanie Thornton, Kristie and Dustin Reech, Marie and Josh Meador and Sam and Elise Jones; and great-great-grandchild, Shelby Thornton. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred "Fred" and Mary Mae Allen LeJeune; and nine brothers and sisters, Gertie Tullier, Ethel "Babe" Millard, Pearl Thibodeaux, Cress "Chut" LeJeune, Forrest "Ponk" LeJeune, Hayes LeJeune, Shirley Hubbard, Nellie Thibodeaux and Amelia "Duce" Alexander. Visiting at St. George Catholic Church on Thursday, March 3, from 9 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Mike Shatzle, celebrant. Entombment in the church mausoleum. At St. George, Mrs. Richard taught religious classes under the oak trees before the classrooms were built. She was the first president of the parent/teacher organization of Jefferson Terrace Elementary and active in Woodlawn School parent organizations as well as the Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girls. In her schoolyears, she won multiple ribbons at the State Rally, graduating as salutatorian at Brusly High School. She then became the first librarian in charge of the West Baton Rouge Parish Library, established by the WPA. Her other interest included reading, sewing and traveling with Harold across the United States. One of her great joys was playing Pokeno with her good friends, the late Wanda Thom, Marie David, Flo Bossier, Gina Wild and Pat Traylor. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Special thanks to all for their kindness, care and compassion during her recent years.