Launey

Funeral services for Mrs. Miriam Julie LeBlanc Launey, 88 were held on Aug. 18, 2009 at St. Charles Borromeo Church, Destrehan, Louisiana with burial to follow at St. Charles Borromeo Mausoleum. Father Daniel will officiate.

Mrs. Launey died on Aug. 14, 2009. She was born in New Orleans on July 14, 1921 and grew up in Reserve, Louisiana on the Godchaux Sugar Plantation, where her father worked. She is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law: Sonny and Sandra, Bruce and Mary Ann, Rich and Joan. She treasured her six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Courtney and her husband, Noel Everard, PhD. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, Lowell Launey, and her mother and father, Hypolite and Ruphena LeBlanc, three brothers; Hyp, Wharton and Vernon and one sister, Elizabeth. Mrs. Launey graduated from LSU in 1941 and began teaching band and choral at Chataignier High School, Louisiana.

There she met her future husband who was serving in the US Army during WWII. She and Lowell were married in Riverside, California. They returned to Louisiana after Lowell was discharged and she resumed her teaching career in St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and East Baton Rouge Parish. She taught in both the public and parochial school systems.

She and Lowell were active in their church and were honorary life members of the River Road Historical Society. She served on its board and enjoyed training the tour guides for Destrehan Manor. She was very close to the Dominican Sisters of the New Orleans Provence and the monks of St. Joseph Abbey. After her husband’s death, Mrs. Launey continued to live in Destrehan but decided to move to a retirement community, Nouveau Marc, in Kenner, Louisiana.

After Katrina, she moved to Garden View, an assisted living home in Lafayette, Louisiana. She enjoyed her time at Nouveau Marc and at Garden View and the wonderful new friends she made. She particularly enjoyed attending Mass at Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel at UL Lafayette. The family is thankful to Hospice of Acadiana, her wonderful sitters, and the staffs of Garden View and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital who took such good care of Miriam in her final days.

In particular, the family thanks Drs. Vanderlick, Snow and Lyons who provided compassionate care to Miriam. Visitation was held from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Destrehan. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. with burial followed in the church mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, Masses or contributions to St. Joseph Abbey, the Dominican Sisters, Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston St., Ste 200, Lafayette, LA 70503, or to your favorite charity are preferred. Friends and guest are invited to send their condolences to: www.hcalexanderfuneralhome.com