LilyB Staehling Moskal

LilyB Staehling Moskal, a professional speaker, political consultant, trainer and television personality, passed away on Friday, March 20, 2020, at her home in Lafayette. A Celebration of Life will occur at the Garden of Memories in Metairie, with interment to follow, at a later date.

A native of Biloxi, Miss., and the daughter of Lillian Durward Taylor and Louis Aloysius Staehling, LilyB spent most of her life in New Orleans, graduating from McMain High School in 1946. She received a B.A. degree in speech communications and broadcasting from Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette). Her post-graduate courses included Tulane University and a graduate course of politics at San Diego State University and Washington, D.C.’s Campaign Schools.

In the 1960s, Moskal taught at Lakeside School for Special Children in Metairie before moving on to become a Louisiana real estate broker earning national designations and serving on real estate boards of local, state and national associations. This prepared her for public speaking and training and she went on to create Success Seminars, a personal and professional development company that took her throughout the U.S. and Canada and helped train women to enter politics. She was labeled “The Girl with the Million Dollar Attitude” due to her goal in helping others develop self-esteem and reach their highest potential. Among many speaking engagements — including for Eastern Airlines, Century 21 and the American Association of University Women — she conducted a workshop at the 1979 National Convention of the National Federation of Republican Women when President Ronald Reagan was the keynote speaker.

Moskal was one of the first four women to earn the designation of Certified Speaking Professionals from the National Speakers Association, served on the board of NSA and organized and served as chapter presidents of the Florida and Kentucky chapters. In addition, she organized and served as president of the Louisiana and Florida Women’s Executive Clubs, a networking organization for women. In 2009, she was inducted into the Louisiana Center for Women and Government’s Hall of Fame.

From 1968-1970, Moskal was also host of a daily TV talk show on Channel 26 in New Orleans, interviewing those in the community making New Orleans a better place to live. It was there she met the love of her life, electrical engineer Thomas Moskal. The couple’s second marriage, they were married 44 years.

Moskal was also the author of more than 35 professional articles and the co-author of the book, “Positive Power People.” She is listed in Who’s Who of America Women, Personalities of the South, Women of Achievement, Who’s Who and Why of Successful Women and a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She was chosen as 1970 Woman of the Year in New Orleans and named part of the “Women of Change” for her dynamic address to the Miami Women’s Health Center.

Her past charities have included the American Red Cross after World War II, a reader for the blind and serving on the board of Cancer Crusaders where she was an honoree at their special “Heroes Day” for survivors of cancer.

Moskal is the mother of Paul F. Dastugue III (Katharine) of Metairie, Quentin D. Dastugue (Penny) of Covington and Danon Dastugue and Cheré Dastugue Coen (Bruce) of Lafayette. She is the stepmother of Roxane Berglund (Rusty) of Omaha, Neb., Thomas S. Moskal (Sandi) of Coral Springs, Fla. and the former Nelson Moskal.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude’s.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Judy Guidry for her exquisite care and compassion.

Family and friends are encouraged to share your memories and condolences on Mrs. Moskal's memorial page at www.evangelinefuneralhome.com

Evangeline Funeral Home of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.