Mary Valentine Labove

Mary Valentine Boudreaux LaBove was born on August 14, 1920 in Creole, LA. She died peacefully in her second home in Big Lake on December 6, 2016 where she had lived alone until five weeks prior to her death being strong and of sound mind.

Born to Prosper Boudreaux and Margaret “Maggie” Constance, she sadly lost her mother at age four. She was raised by her father who spoke only French and her grandmother who taught her about God. When she entered school, Cajun French was not allowed to be spoken and children were punished if they did. French continued to be her favorite language until her death at age 96.

Mary married Charlie LaBove who she had met at a French dance. Together they raised five daughters who she felt were a direct gift from God. After Hurricane Audrey destroyed their home in 1957, she and Charlie rebuilt. This time it was an eleven bedroom home that would serve as a rooming house. They advertised in Field and Stream Magazine and started LaBove’s Hunting Club that served many duck hunting clients for years.

She loved road trips with her daughters. She was delighted to travel to Maryland and Washington DC when Charlane was named as Fur and Wildlife Queen representing Cameron Parish. She was extremely proud of all her children and their many endeavors.   She wore a hat daily and for every occasion. The best times were celebrating her many birthdays so she could wear a new gorgeous hat.

She was an honest, true, hard working, God fearing women who constantly preached the bible and prophecy to her girls. A plaque hung on the kitchen wall which read “The world owes you a living but you have to work hard to collect it”. She taught her daughters the value of the dollar by setting a good work ethic to follow. In addition to being a smart business owner, she grew a huge vegetable garden to feed her family and purchased a farm to raise cattle. When she dreamed of cows, it usually meant land acquisition and oil. Her dreams proved to be true on several occasions.

Mary believed in physical exercise and was a TV follower of Jack LaLanne. She participated in the Senior Olympics for many years. She loved the Council on Aging and to help had purchased a vehicle for meals to be delivered throughout the parish.

Everyone admired her beautiful flower beds that encircled the home place. Strangers would often stop when they saw her working to inquire about certain plants. She amazed family and friends by her stamina. She joked that she would make a great “Smuckers Girl” on NBC Today Show when she would reach 100. She was Dr. Brian Clements first patient and he often remarked what an incredible person she was for her age.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Prosper and Margaret Boudreaux, husband, Charlie LaBove, brothers, Walter Boudreaux, Preston Boudreaux and Rayme Boudreaux, and daughter, Mary Jane Miller. Mary is survived by daughters Margaret (Jerry) Savoie, Charlane LaSalle, Rosie (Carl) Shetler, and Emily Gaspard, Granddaughters, Selika Egloff, Sherri Kramer, Shellie Eskew, Bethani Gaspard, Chelsie Skero and Special Granddaughter Veronica Trosclair, Grandsons, Charles “Chunky” Savoie, Father Johnnie Savoie of Mobile, AL, Marcus Melancon, Great Grandchildren, Hope and Chance Savoie, Carter and Carson Kramer, Luke and Jack Egloff, Charlie Mae Skero, Keegan Melancon, Ellis and Emmett Eskew, Great Great Grandchildren, Annie and Drake Trahan.

Visitation will be held at Johnson Funeral Home, Lake Charles, Saturday December 10, 2016 from 9am – 1 pm with Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 2pm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Creole to be officiated by Father Johnnie Savoie. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Charles Savoie, Marcus Melancon, Joey Gaspard, Jack Egloff, Luke Egloff and Chance Savoie with Honorary Pallbearer Jason Skero.