Mary Downs “Dee” DelaHoussaye passed away in the early morning hours of Thursday, August 3, 2023, at Maison de Lafayette Assisted Living in Lafayette, where she has resided for the past 14 years.
“Dee” was a 1976 graduate of Hanson Memorial High School in Franklin, LA. Upon graduation, she attended LSU in Baton Rouge which solidified her love of all things “Tiger” and her lifelong passion for all things LSU, especially football. Her knowledge of LSU sports was remarkable and it could be very truly stated that she was an epic Tiger Fan.
Dee worked as a Deputy Clerk of Court for the St. Mary Parish Clerk of Court and later was employed as a Deputy Clerk for the City Court of Lafayette. She had a passion for history and genealogy. She enjoyed helping her many friends in their quest to discover their family history. After leaving work at the Clerk’s Office, she worked for many years as a clerical assistant for LSU Basketball Coach Dale Brown.
Dee loved her Catholic faith and spent much time in daily prayer. She was a member of the Theresians of Lafayette. Upon moving her residence to the Assisted Living residences at Maison de Lafayette, Dee was able to truly live out her Christian values in service of the elderly. She became a loyal friend and caregiver to many residents of the nursing home, helping those whose memory had faded with their daily tasks, and became family to many residents who had no family to care or advocate for them. She started a prayer card and daily prayer book distribution ministry for the residents of the Nursing Home. She formed many strong bonds with the nurses, CNA’s and employees of Maison de Lafayette and considered them all to be her Lafayette family.
Dee will be remembered for her intelligence, quick wit, sense of humor, and especially for her devotion to her family and friends. She loved and cherished her sisters and nephews and made sure that they knew it, always ending every conversation with “I love you”. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her and her memory will be kept alive in their hearts forever.
She is survived by her four sisters, Jeanne delaHoussaye Sulzbach of Lafayette, Heloise delaHoussaye of Franklin, Lisette delaHoussaye Rivette and her husband Dennis of Youngsville, and Adrienne Claire delaHoussaye of Youngsville; four nephews, Edward A. LeBlanc of Portland, Or., Blake S. Foster and his wife Babette of Youngsville, LA. Cody G. Foster and his wife Jerica of Youngsville, LA., and Christopher S. Sulzbach of Katy, TX. She also leaves behind two grand-nephews, Landon Foster and Luke Foster; two grand-nieces, twins Fiona Foster and Elise Foster; her uncle, Richard C. Davis of New Orleans; as well as a host of cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents. Judge Edward A. delaHoussaye, III and Mary Katherine Oakley delaHoussaye; paternal grandparents, Edward A. delaHoussaye, Jr. and Heloise Fay delaHoussaye; and maternal grandparents, Dr. John F. Oakley, Jr. and Mary Katherine Downs Oakley.
Funeral services will be held Monday, August 7, 2023, at the Church of the Assumption during a 1:00 PM Mass of Christian Burial. Following the Mass, Dee will be laid to rest in the Franklin Cemetery. Father Joel Faulk will be the Celebrant for the Mass and conduct the services. A gathering of family and friends will be held at the church from 9:00 AM until time of Mass, with the Holy Rosary being prayed at 11:00 AM.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Edward A. LeBlanc, Blake S. Foster, Cody G. Foster, Christopher S. Sulzbach, Jerry Barrilleaux, and Joseph McClelland.
The family would like to express their sincerest gratitude to the staff of Maison de Lafayette and Dr. Geoffrey Mire, as well as Mia Blanchard, Leeosha Dugas, Sonya Jackson, Angie Babin, Neal Hebert for their exceptional and compassionate care of Dee.
Family and friends may view the obituary online by visiting www.iberts.com and are encouraged to share their condolences, cherished memories, love, and support for the family.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1007 Main Street, Franklin, LA 70538, (337) 828-5426.