Although Marilyn Richoux has been recognized for her many accomplishments in St. Charles Parish, she readily explains they were only made possible with the help of people equally passionate about preservation.
“I was fortunate to work with people who shared my passion and worked just as much and hard as I,” Richoux said. “We considered our parish very special and wanted to do all possible to help to protect and enhance the quality of life for all parishioners.”
When Joan Becnel, Sue Friloux, Faye Loupe and Richoux were doing the research for their book, “St. Charles Parish, Louisiana: A Pictorial History,” Richoux said they made a vital discovery.
“We became fully aware of the territory’s remarkable evolution over a period of 300 years, which strengthened our resolve to bring it to light and preserved,” she said.
The book earned the group the Rotary Club of St. Charles’ Citizen of the Year award for its dedication to the community, perseverance in overcoming obstacles and commitment to promoting the parish’s history about this German Coast settlement.
Richoux helped found the St. Charles Museum and Historical Association, which she described as a joy.
“Again, I had the good fortune to work with board members who were all dedicated preservationists at heart,” she said. “We are very proud of the virtual museum, which is under construction and will be launched in the future. St. Charles Parish history will then become available to the global community.”
Richoux said LSU Professor Jay D. Edwards, Dept. of Anthropology and Geography, who helped develop the pictorial history, also told her “that St. Charles Parish has always been ahead of the curve.”
“I considered that high praise for parish governance, our education system and St. Charles Parish citizens,” she said.
The reason for this dogged determination to get the job done was obvious at least to Richoux.
“Preservationists do not give up easily and must exercise much patience,” she said. “If the cinders are provided oxygen they continue to burn. Preservationists never run out of projects and oxygen.”
Over the years, Richoux was one of the people who stoked the fire, but she again said it couldn’t have been done without support and this time she attributed it the parish administration. She called them the “stewards of the integrity and beauty of St. Charles Parish,” and thanked them for their continued support to make it possible to preserve the parish’s history and heritage for future generations.
Among her many achievements, she also she served on the parish Planning and Zoning Commission from 1993 to 2005, which lent to her later serving on the steering committee for the parish’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
The opportunity to serve on these governmental bodies held much deeper meaning to Richoux, whose historical background helped her see the future.
“I became aware of planning and zoning when I was a teenager and noticed the imbalance and incompatibility of residential and commercial areas in addition to neglected properties which would cause problems for neighbors,” she said. “That was many years ago and our land use plan was still being developed. That is when I realized how very important a comprehensive land use plan would serve the people.”
By May 2003, the parish’s preservationists were back in action when it they decided to develop the German Coast Farmers’ Market.
While thousands of people shop the market, Richoux and friends considered it an important way to protect agricultural tradition of at least 16 generations of farming.
“They wanted to make it possible for our farmers to have a venue to sell produce, most of whom are direct descendants of the early 1719 settlers,” she said.
This time, Richoux credited County Agent Rene’ Schmit and Trudy Deshotels Lorio for guiding a group of volunteers who put the market in place. Richoux sits on the board of directors.
“Now in its 13th year, the market is one of the most popular in the metro area,” Richoux said. “Dedicated board members continue to manage operations.”
Because gardening also is one of her passions, she worked with a Council-appointed beautification task force to landscape and beautify green spaces in the parish, which she called a pleasure.
“We all enjoyed working together to make the parish as pretty as possible,” she added.
Although Richoux was humbled and appreciative of the parish Council’s tribute to her contributions, she doesn’t believe in being recognized for doing what she considers doing for the love of God, family and community.
“You want to do what you can to help along the way and not just sit back and expect things to happen,” she said. “We kind of have to help to make things happen.”
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