Marilyn Cecilia Dufour Piattoly passed away on Wednesday, June 9th 2021. She was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 12, 1941, the youngest child of Edison Luke Dufour and Ethel Rabalais Dufour. A boy who lived in the same neighborhood, Arthur Raymond (Ray) Piattoly, was the love of her life: A love that would keep them dancing in the living room to big band tunes, hugging, kissing, swapping silly jokes, and laughing out loud until right before the day of Marilyn s death. The first time that Ray saw Marilyn she was going to Sunday Mass at St. Cecilia’s with friends and he thought that she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen; 5 years later he married her at this same church. In August, Ray and Marilyn would have celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary. From their union blessed by God, they had 3 children, Brigette Marla; Arthur Jude; and Nicole Angel Piattoly (fiancé Mark Pierson). Her children adore her, respect her, and admire her because she was for 60 years, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the powerful Christian force which guided, instructed, nursed, encouraged, nourished, disciplined, and deeply comforted each and every member of the family. Marilyn tried to imitate Our Blessed Mother. She never lied, gossiped, or used inappropriate words. She was modest, humble, and meek. She sacrificed her whole life for her husband and children and never thought about her own needs. She served and often did without-so that others would have. She was devoted to the Rosary, participated in the Mass each and every day, and prayed continuously. It was her source of strength.
She was a former Eucharistic Minister, a faithful servant of the poor through the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and she taught disabled adults to read. She graduated from F.T. Nicholls High School where she was voted one of the prettiest girls. She worked before having her children for Drs. St. Romain and Krupp. Later in life, she was the office manager in her daughter’s law firm where she was deeply loved by all of the clients. She was well-known and respected for her cooking and always prepared wonderful feasts for the entire family.
Throughout all stages of her life, Marilyn looked up to and was best buddies with her older brother Ronald Anthony Dufour. She deeply admired and loved her older sister Geraldine Lacour Rachal. Marilyn was the matchmaker who introduced her friend Betty Lou Mitchell to her brother Ronald and, afterwards, her best girlfriend, Betty, became her sister-in-law and life-long best friend. Marilyn deeply loved her mother-in-law and father-in law Lelia and Arthur Piattoly and her in-laws Helen and Henry Lang, Dennis Piattoly, Jeanne and Joe Guercia, Hardy J. LaCour, and J.R. Rachal. She loved her childhood friend from the 4 o’clock Club on Urquhart Street, Jeanne Cooper, who married her beloved cousin Allen Dufour. She loved each and every one of her aunts and uncles, her cousins, and each and every one of precious nieces and nephews: Doug, Patty, Linda, Paul, Jimmy, Rick, Joy, Ted, Mark, Kay, Rhonda, Steve, David, Rodney, Debbie, Rickie, Cecilia, Julie, Jeanine, Joey, and all of her great nieces and nephews. She thought of the Sanfords and Mayos as family, and she cherished all of her many wonderful neighbors throughout the years, especially the little children.
Marilyn did all of the above with a child-like joy, innocence, and purity. She loved Mardi Gras and always had costumes, for everyone, ready to go. She loved to play the Easter Bunny and devised elaborate clues to hide the gigantic Easter Basket; she was Mrs. Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy. Her Irish Stew was made with Leprechauns. She was known for her beautiful St. Joseph Altars and her thrill of catching cabbages at the St. Patrick s Parade. A true New Orleans girl, on happy occasions, or just because, she loved to 2nd Line through the house, even teaching the family pets to come running to join the parade when the music started. She loved the trees, the birds, and the flowers. The little children of the neighborhood, now grown, remember her for her beautiful tea parties under the trees and the wonderful fairytales she would tell. She giggled and she laughed and was always imaginative and joyful. She was proof that a great Christian life is a life of joy, love, peace and all of the other many gifts of the Most Holy Spirit.
Rest with Jesus, my dear Mama.
All are invited to celebrate Marilyn’s life at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, 2320 Paris Road, Chalmette, Louisiana, on Friday, June 18th 2021. Wake from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The Rosary will be recited at 10:30 a.m with the Mass of Christian Burial officiated by Fr. Robert Massett commencing at 11:00 a.m. Repast following burial. All are welcome to eulogize Marilyn, recite a poem, or share their fond memories.
In lieu of flowers, Marilyn would have loved plants, your personal prayers, Catholic Masses, and the praying of the Rosary.
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