Dr. Maria Herminia Callejas Mccall

Born in 1933 in Matanzas, Cuba, Maria received her Doctorate in Education from the University of Havana, Cuba in 1961. Soon afterwards, she visited her brother in Baton Rouge and stayed in the United States to attend LSU. She taught at a Catholic elementary school in Baton Rouge. She met her future husband Mike in 1962 and they were married four months later and moved to Lake Charles. She was proud to become a naturalized citizen of the United States of America in 1969 and never failed to exercise her right to vote in an election. After her two children started school, she began substitute teaching in the Calcasieu Parish School system and taught at various schools including Washington High School and Lake Charles High School. In 1982, she began teaching Spanish at McNeese State University where she was also director of the Foreign Language Lab for 30 years. She traveled extensively throughout the world enjoying cultural exchanges and scenic beauty. Dr. McCall was a member of Club Hispano Americano, Sigma Delta Pi, Phi Sigma lota, an advisor for the Latin American Club, member of Los Rancheros and was a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow.

She is survived by her son, Ricardo Michael McCall, M.D. (Laurie); daughter, Maria Elena McCall (Dirk Brandts); four grandchildren, Decker Brandts, Austin, Allie, and Alexander McCall; a brother, Ricardo J. Callejas (Silvia); two nieces, Maria Teresa and Herminia.

She was preceded in death by her parents Jose Victor Callejas de la Torre and Maria Josefa Garcia de Callejas; and her husband, Michael A. McCall.

A memorial Mass will be held at Our Lady of Good Counsel on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 11:00 AM. Father Nathan Long will officiate. Inurnment will immediately follow the service at Consolata Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, kindly make a monetary donation to Our Lady of Good Counsel at 221 Aqua Dr, Lake Charles LA 70605.