The Life of Effie Lauw
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at an 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial in La Chapelle de Martin & Castille in Lafayette, for Effie W. Lauw, who passed away on Sunday, May 29, 2011.
Interment will be in Lafayette Memorial Park.
Reverend Edward Degeyter will be the Celebrant of the Funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Jodi Bollich, organist and soloist, will sing "Amazing Grace", "Hail Mary, Gentle Woman", "J'irai la voir un jour" and "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" for the services. Giftbearers will be Valerie Richard and Monica Gaspard. Lectors will be Martha Whittington and Lawrence Rabalais.
Effie was a talented seamstress, sewing and decorating untold numbers of dance costumes, prom and wedding dresses, everyday apparel, home items, mending, etc. for many Lafayette residents over her lifetime. She had a love of, and talent for, needle work including tatting, knitting, crocheting, quilting, and making her family’s fishing/crab nets. Another love of hers was gardening, whether it was with her husband Slim in their vegetable and fruit gardens, or her flower gardens. While tending to plants and flowers of all types, her special pride and joy were her camellias. She had many years of success when entering her camellias in Lafayette and surrounding area camellia shows and winning numerous ribbons and prizes. She made many life-long friends who shared her love for these beautiful flowers as a member of the Lafayette Camellia Society.
She was a lifetime member of both the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion Post 69 and the VFW Post 2103 in Lafayette. As an active member of Our Lady of Fatima’s Ladies Altar Society she took pride in the church activities and contributed her sewing skills by making vestments and altar cloths. She also enjoyed the people and activities at the Lafayette Green House and participated in many continuing education classes at USL.
Effie is survived by one daughter, Myrtice Blanchard and her husband Oliver of Lafayette; one son, Phillip I. Lauw and his wife Shelia of Youngsville; two granddaughters, Valerie Richard and her husband Travis of Erath and Monica Gaspard and her husband Jered of Erath; three great-grandsons, Garret Richard, Bradley Richard and Grayson Gaspard, all of Erath; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 years, Alva F. Lauw; her parents, Robert Whittington and the former Anaise Breaux of Lafayette; three sisters, Loretta Whittington, Mable Whittington and Viola Rose Pierret; and two brothers, Robert Lee Whittington and Clarence Whittington.
The family requests that visitation be observed in Martin & Castille's DOWNTOWN Lafayette location on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM and on Wednesday from 8:00 AM until time of service.
A Rosary will be led by Ms. Lucille Ficaro on Tuesday at 7:30 PM and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary will lead a Remembrance Service on Wednesday at 10:00 AM in Martin & Castille Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Oliver Blanchard, Travis Richard, Jered Gaspard, Ron Florea, Ed Bonin and Brett Brown.
Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Weaver and the members of the American Legion Post 69 and VFW Post 2103.
The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Effie’s longtime caregivers, Jane and Mignonne Richardson, Jackie Weaver and Agnes Kilchrist, for the excellent care and companionship they provided. Thanks are also extended to the staff members at Concepts of Care Home Health and St. Theresa’s Hospice for being there for Effie and her family during this difficult time.
Martin & Castille-DOWNTOWN-330 St. Landry St., Lafayette, LA 70506, 337-234-2311
