Making History

Parish historian and genealogist leaves behind a legacy of knowledge

Courtesy Photo

HISTORIAN. Fay Walker Louque is pictured with her beloved husband Warren J. Louque. She died on Sept. 15 of congestive heart failure at the age of 70.

Destrehan resident Fay Louque, 70, died of congestive heart failure after a lengthy illness on Sept. 15, but will forever be remembered by most as an essential part of St. Charles Parish.

After all, she spent much of her time as a dedicated historian and genealogist carefully documenting the parish’s rich history.

Fellow parishioner Sue Friloux was working with Fay at the time of her death on a parish pictorial for the River Road Historical Society and says most of the time Fay was the No. 1 go-to person for parish information.

“Fay had such a wealth of information on the parish,” said Friloux. “Her input on projects was valuable to so many people, and we couldn’t have done all the work without her.”

Friloux fondly remembers Fay always being willing to share her knowledge with others, despite being recently ill.

“That was the great thing about her, she was strong and dedicated, and has a treasure. She had collected so much material on the origin of the parish. She knew it all,” Friloux continued.

While Fay’s desire for accuracy and dedication to the parish was apparent to family and friends, her husband Warren J. Louque says that many others were touched by her overwhelming desire for history.

“At her funeral, it was easy to see the number of people and lives she touched,” he said. “There are so many who will miss her. We’ll miss her.”

Fay was an active member of many local clubs and organizations including the Daughters of the American Revolution - Vieux Carre Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy - Dave Crockett Chapter, River Road Historical Society, New Orleans Genealogical Society, Louisiana Genealogical Society, La Societe of des Cajuns, French Settlement Historical Society, St. Charles Borromeo Church and Perpetual Adoration Chapel.

The historian is also the noted founder several historically important organizations including the Destrehan Descendants Guild and the German Coast Historical and Genealogical Society. She was also an active charter member of the Friends of the St. Charles Library.

Fay retired from the St. Charles Parish Library after 21 years and remained an active genealogist and historian until her death.

Fay is the mother of Kim Marie Louque and Hollie Louque Ericksen of Destrehan and the mother-in-law of Kevin Ericksen and grandmother of Ashley and Matthew Ericksen. She is the sister of Catherine Walker Dufrense of Norco, Diane Walker Johnson of Cumming, Ga., the late Walter A. Walker, Sr. and Harold J. Walker, Jr., and the daughter of Verile Cecile Richoux Walker, and the late Howard J. Walker, Sr.

Services were held on Thursday, Sept. 18 at the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Destrehan. Burial took place in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Charles Borromeo Church Building Fund, P. O. Box 428, Destrehan, La. 70047.