Pauline Mae Lorrain Poole

Pauline Mae Lorrain Poole, born in Hayes, Louisiana on January 18, 1944, daughter of the late Elias J. and Euna Mae (Bouquet) Lorrain, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2023. She was 79.

Pauline, a graduate of Iowa High School, attended McNeese State University, where she earned her Masters Plus 30 in education. She was an educator for almost 50 years, teaching two generations of students at Bell City High School in every area and level of education. After her retirement from Bell City, Pauline continued to share her love of education by teaching the future teachers how to teach during her tenure at McNeese State University.

Pauline was a member of St. Daniel Catholic Chapel in Hayes, and St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Bell City, where she served as the organist for both churches for many years.
Pauline created the Lorrain Bridge Association in her efforts to save Lorrain Bridge in 2000. This bridge and the surrounding area, aside from its historical aspects, held a very deep affection for her and all the Lorrain family and their descendants.

The Lorrain Bridge spans Lacassine Bayou between Calcasieu and Jeff Davis parishes and is in the National Register of Historical Places. It is celebrated as the last remaining wooden bridge in Louisiana. The site was acquired in 1894, and a wooden drawbridge was constructed around 1895. In 1920 it was re-constructed, still as a wooden drawbridge. It was damaged in 1950, repaired in 1951, and in 1955 the drawbridge portion was disabled. The bridge remained open and connected Calcasieu Parish and Jefferson Davis Parish until it was closed to traffic in March 1998. Due to joint efforts of the Lorrain Bridge Association, founded by Pauline Poole, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury and Jeff Davis Police Jury, the bridge was rebuilt and opened to traffic on July 1, 2004.

Pauline is survived by her two children, Euna Poole (Ron Guidry) and Roland Poole, Jr. who has five children, a daughter-in-law, and two sons-in-law. Andrew Poole (Morgan Poole) includes Skyleigh, Jace, Chevy, and Abigail; Matthew Poole includes Damian; Allison Poole Bourque (Tyler Bourque) includes Sophi, Arabella, Luna, and Marinette; Aron Laurence; and Karlee Cavender (Taylor Cavender). Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her absolute pride and joy. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roland Lee “Cabbage” Poole, Sr., and her sister, Jean Fontenot.

For the most updated information regarding the Rosary, Requiem Mass, and Celebration of Life for Pauline Lorrain Poole, please go to the Facebook events page: https://www.facebook.com/events/657949849612322

Graveside services will be in Lorrain DeRouen Cemetery on October 8, 2023 at 4 p.m. Rev. Paul D’Sa, Celebrant. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Lorrain Bridge Park at 5 p.m. weather permitting. Cremation was under the direction of Johnson & Brown Funeral Home of Iowa.