Moria Lane Bessette

Moria Lane "Moe" Miller Bessette passed away peacefully on September 4th in her home at the age of 80. Moe was born on May 9th, 1945, to Nora and Fred Miller, Jr. in Lake Charles. She was a graduate of Lake Charles High, where she was a member of the Kilties. She attended LSU and in 1965, married her high school sweetheart, Harvey Bessette. After Harvey graduated from McNeese State University, he and Moe lived at Fort Knox, Kentucky and then in Augsburg, Germany, while Harvey served in the U.S. Army. In 1968, they returned to Lake Charles to start their family and their first business. Moe grew up around the real estate and construction business and over the years, she managed all of her and Harvey's rental properties. In 1986, She and Harvey started their own construction company, Bessette Development Corporation. They worked side by side for many years and together they built many homes and commercial buildings all over Southwest Louisiana. In 1988 Moe became a licensed real estate agent and in 1990, they started CENTURY 21 Bessette Realty.

Moe was a committed member of the Catholic Church. She served as a eucharistic minister, was a member of the Lay Carmelites and the Catholic Daughters. The ministry she loved the most was teaching CCD to second graders at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. Fondly known as "Miss Moe", she helped many children prepare for their first reconciliation and first communion.

Moe was a master of needlepoint, a lover of travel, and an avid reader. She was also a talented seamstress and enjoyed making baptismal bibs for her church and stoles for her priests.

As much as she enjoyed working alongside Harvey and working in her church, family was always most important to her. Not a day went by when Moe didn't talk about how much her children, grandchildren, great grandchild and family meant to her.

Moria is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Harvey, her daughters, Tobie Hodgkins (Michael)and Tara Demarie (Paul), grandsons Wyatt Demarie (Patton), Kade (Kristen) Demarie, Hunter Hodgkins, William Hodgkins (Skye) and great grandson Skip Grayson Demarie. She was predeceased by her parents and her Mother-in-Law and Father-in-Law, Annie and Clarence Bessette.
The family would like to thank Harbor Hospice, Home Instead Senior Care and especially her long-time caregiver, Stephanie Schlesinger for their excellent care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday September 9th at 2:00 pm at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church. Visitation will be held at Johnson Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 9th starting at 9:00 am until1:00 pm with a rosary at 11:00 am.

Moe was a powerful voice for children in foster care and served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, or CASA, for many years. In this role, she walked alongside children in foster care, taking the time to understand their lives, hopes, and dreams. Moe was a steady and compassionate presence, someone who listened, advocated, and stood firmly by each child she served. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to CASA, a Division of Family & Youth. Donations may be made online at www.fyca.org by selecting the "Donate" tab and designating Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) or mailed to 220 Louie Street; Lake Charles, LA 70601.