Edna Verret DiFranco

Edna Frances Verret DiFranco of Covington, LA passed away peacefully at the age of 84 on Sunday, July 16, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerome Joseph DiFranco Jr.; parents, Joseph Clyde Verret and Estelle Alonzo Verret; in-laws, Jerome Joseph DiFranco Sr. and Leah Caruso DiFranco; sister-in- law, Leah DiFranco Harper; brothers-in-law, James L. Dunn, Mike Caluda, and Tom Quantrille; and nephew, Greg Harper.

Edna was a devoted, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was the beloved wife of Jerome Joseph DiFranco Jr. with whom she shared 60 beautiful years of marriage. She is survived by their three children, Dr. Brad Joseph DiFranco (Michelle), Andrea DiFranco, and Michelle McCausland (Mike); sister, Jo Ann Dunn; grandchildren, Callie Keiffer, Rachel Keiffer, Emma McCausland, Matthew McCausland, Michael McCausland, Alex DiFranco, and Nathan DiFranco; sister-in-law, Betty Ann DiFranco Quantrille; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Edna was born on April 15, 1939 in Gretna, LA but would spend almost all of her childhood and young adult life in Algiers, LA. She graduated in 1958 from Behrman High School and soon after found what would become a lifelong career and calling. As a hairdresser for 60 years, Edna grew her own successful business, shared her talents, and built wonderful friendships that would last for decades. It was on a blind date, encouraged by her sister Jo Ann, that she met the love of her life, Jerry DiFranco. They married at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in Algiers on September 2, 1961.

After years living in various cities, they established roots in Covington, LA where they remained for over 45 years. Here, Edna opened a salon in her home, raised her family, and dedicated much of her time to serving her community and local Catholic churches. As a parishioner of St. Peter Catholic Church in Covington, she contributed her talents of floral arranging on the Environmental Committee. She served as a Eucharistic Minister at both St. Peter’s Catholic Church and later at St. Anselm Catholic Church in Madisonville, LA. She was especially devoted to the Carmelite Nuns on River Road in Covington, LA and to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as was her mother and grandmother before her.

Edna truly loved people and that love was mutual. Her positive, joyful nature was infectious, and she exuded a warmth and kindness that was hard to ignore. She had a magical touch when it came to making pralines and decorating for Christmas. Above all she loved her family and always saw Jesus there with her; she knew Him well and her love for others was a testament of that. It was with great joy and peace that she looked to Him as she passed from this mortal realm into the next.

Friends and family are invited to attend services at Lake Lawn Funeral Home in Metairie, LA on Saturday, August 26, 2023. Visitation will be held from 9am to 11am with Mass and burial to follow. A “Celebration of Life” reception will be held on the Northshore following funeral services. The family encourages all who attend to wear something colorful in honor of Edna’s bright spirit.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you extend a random act of kindness to a stranger or person in need, in her memory.

“Her heart knew the Faith and she walks hand in hand with Jesus.” -Edna V. DiFranco