St. Therese of Lisieux’s quote brings to mind a similar one made from a wise and simple man to his sons… “This world is not our home, we are just passing through.” Patrick Marchand of Gonzales, Louisiana passed peacefully from this life to the next on Saturday, January 9, 2021. Determined to enrich the lives of those he knew, as he once taught us how to live…he now taught us how to die. After a short but valiant battle with cancer, he provided those closest to him with beautiful memories and remained ever the “delightfully funny character” and wise comedian to the very end.
Mr. Marchand was the youngest of seven children of Nelson “Nick” and Eunice Marchand. As a young man, he overcame numerous obstacles and hardships and learned the value of a strong Catholic faith and the power of Jesus Christ and hard work. He started his own successful plumbing business but as those who knew him can attest, it was his heartfelt concern for his fellow man that defined his success in life. He was well known for his faithful devotion to “Mama Mary”, his wonderful stories and jokes, (some not approved for younger audiences) but most of all for his generosity and strong sense of fair-mindedness.
Preceded in death by: parents Nelson “Nick” and Eunice Marchand, brothers Dalton Marchand and wife Lillie, Leslie “Nepo” Marchand and wife Anna, Curtis Marchand, sisters Sr. Evelyn Marchand OP, Eunice Dedon. and Elizabeth (Betty Ann) Mumphrey and husband Benedict “Benny” Mumphrey.
He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years Judy Lachney Marchand with whom he shared two sons: Troy Marchand (Grace) and Mike Marchand (Lizanne) and seven grandchildren: Katelyn Ashley Marchand, Rebecca Lynn Marchand, Jacob Patrick Marchand, Joshua Thomas Marchand and Michael Joseph Marchand, Jr., Patrick Emile Marchand and Gabriel Julien Marchand. Mr. Marchand also leaves behind beloved children Belinda Schoendorf (Gene), Travis Fonte (Vicky) and Sheila B McAllister (William).
Saint Teresa of Calcutta was a favorite of Mr. Marchand and she left us with some wise words in our time of sorrow and those that were followed by him during his life. “At the hour of death when we come face-to-face with God, we are going to be judged on love; not how much we have done, but how much love we put into the doing.”
A memorial gathering will be held at 8:30 am and a rosary will be recited at Ourso Funeral Home on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 9:00 am with services to follow immediately at 10:00 am at St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church in Gonzales, Louisiana.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, The American Cancer Society, Foundation for Woman’s (The Woman’s Hospital of Baton Rouge), or the Wounded Warriors. If you would like to offer the family condolences, please sign the online guestbook at www.oursofh.com
