Melia Marie Falgout Starkovich

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, March 21, 2014, at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church for Melia Falgout Starkovich, 93, who passed away peacefully at her residence on March 16, 2014. Interment will be at Consolata Cemetery in Lake Charles.

The Celebrant of the Funeral Mass will be her grandson, Reverend Father Jeffrey Starkovich, the associate pastor of St. Margaret’s Catholic Church.

Melia was the quintessential American success story. Born on the cusp of the “Roaring Twenties”, Melia grew up in Hahnville, Louisiana. Her childhood was typical of the era, surrounded by seven siblings and replete with hard work. Melia was blessed with loving parents, who taught her lessons of character and faith.

The Great Depression and World War II would change America and so to would the course of Melia’s life. Melia was quick to support the war effort, moving to New Orleans and finding employment in a garment factory. She labored countless hours, attaching collars and sleeves to the uniforms of young soldiers.

Melia’s war efforts did not end at the factory door. On Saturday evenings, she and her friends would assist the United States Overseas (USO) efforts by attending dances to bolster soldier moral. On one enchanted evening aboard the paddle wheeler “President”, her life took a dramatic turn when she met a young sailor by the name of David Starkovich. They were smitten instantaneously, however, their love would be tested by war, distance and time. Their romance progressed and unfolded in love letters, and like a fairy tale, a letter from David arrived one day with a proposal for her hand in marriage.

On March 2, 1946, Melia Falgout and David Starkovich celebrated their wedding vows in Hahnville’s Holy Rosary Catholic Church and in February of 1947, they were blessed with their first of seven children. Soon afterward, David enrolled in Loyola Pharmacy School and, upon graduation, they moved to Lake Charles, Louisiana to raise a family and grow their business, Enterprise Pharmacy.

Melia often remarked that her life was simple, but idyllic. She relished her time on the family farm, gardening and preserving the fruits of her labor. Not only will she be remembered for her inherent love for the kitchen, but also for pouring her soul into her most important job, that of raising a family.

On October 17, 1991, Melia’s one true love and husband departed God’s earth. She took great comfort in the blessed life they had shared and for the gifts from God of their children and grandchildren. But Melia knew her duty was to finish strong, and she rose to the challenge, serving as a role model for all she encountered.

Today our world is a little less bright because her star has dimmed, but we know we shall soon be together again.

Melia is preceded in death by her parents, Leston Falgout and Desiree Vicknair Falgout, her husband, David Starkovich, and her siblings, Clement Falgout, Denise Desmond, Frances Laurent, Lawrence Falgout, Martha Troxler, and Howard Falgout.

She is survived by one sister, Vera Cefalu, her four sons, Donald Starkovich, and his wife Debbie, Charles Starkovich, and his wife Kathleen, Paul Starkovich, and his wife Martha, Allen Starkovich, and his wife Kristine; three daughters, Janet Whitt, and her husband Michael, Sharon George, and Carol Favaloro, and her husband Gerald; 21 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be five of her grandsons, Jacob Starkovich, Chad Starkovich, Ken Starkovich, Charlie Starkovich, and Ryan Searle and son in laws, Gerald Favaloro and Michael Whitt.

The family requests that visitation be observed at Hixson’s Funeral Home of Lake Charles from 8:00 am until 10:30 am, Friday, March 21, 2014. A rosary will be prayed at 10:00 am.

The family wishes to thank caregivers, Silvana Gaspard and Sheila Williams, and Dr. Susan Ieyoub for the compassionate care given to their Mother.

Personal condolences may be sent to the Starkovich family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Margaret’s Elementary School, 2510 Enterprise Blvd., Lake Charles, La. 70601 or St. Louis High School, 1620 Bank St., Lake Charles, La. 70601.

Hixson Funeral Home, 3001 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, La. is in charge of the funeral arrangements