Laura Marie Melancon

Laura Tatar Melancon, born July 3, 1971, passed away peacefully at the age 50, on November 9, 2021 supported by her husband, David, after an extended illness. Laura’s faith, family and friends were the center of her life. Throughout the last years of her life, she made praying the Rosary a daily practice, keeping all those she loved close to her heart in her prayers.

Laura received her Bachelor of Science in Marketing followed by a Master of Business Administration at Southeastern Louisiana University. She went on to teach business classes at Southeastern where she remained until the birth of her second child. At that time Laura decided to dedicate all of her time and many talents and skills to her children who were the source and summit of her life.

Being with family and friends was one of her favorite pastimes, and Laura would love to gather friends and family in her home where she made everyone feel warm and welcome. She loved to celebrate the holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas, and connect with people. Laura was exceedingly generous with her time and talents and always made people, even strangers, feel important.

She found her spiritual home at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, where her three children attended grammar school. There she volunteered at both school and parish events, making friends, and serving others. Laura was small in stature but had a huge heart and a strong spirit. She will be remembered as a powerful prayer warrior and a model of grace, positivity, and perseverance in the face of adversity and illness. She carried her cross bravely to the end.

Laura is survived by: her husband, David; and three children, Madeline, Michael, and Justin; her parents, Thomas and Laverne “Cookie” Tatar; her brother, Christopher (Vanessa) Tatar; parents-in-law, Jesse and Jeanne Melanҫon; brother-in-law, Brian (Monique) Melancon; sister-in-law, Elizabeth (George) Kuchler; nieces, Julia and Ellie Kuchler, Paige Melancon, and Brooklyn Tatar; and nephews, Jack Kuchler, Sam Melancon, and Logan Tatar.

Her family would like to extend a message of deep gratitude to the staff of MD Anderson, The Mayo Clinic, East Jefferson General Hospital and in particular Dr. Jayne Gurtler and her nurses and staff who took excellent care of Laura as well as offering wonderful support and resources to her family.

To celebrate Laura’s life, a Funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis Xavier Church in Metairie, LA at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 13th with visitation in the church from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Interment will follow the Funeral Mass. All who wish to participate, in lieu of flowers and other gifts, donations may be made to Mayo Clinic, Medical Research-Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction. https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donateMC