Marie Concetta “Lucille” LeBlanc was born to Giuseppe and Francesca Russo Mazzu on October 8, 1913, and died peacefully on October 14, 2014. Lucille was raised on her parents’ thirty acre produce farm, surrounded by family and friends in the Italian community on Florida Avenue. As a result of her upbringing, Lucille loved family, being Italian, raising vegetables and flowers, and the outdoors.
Her parents were strict, but her father did believe in young people having a good time if they were properly supervised. When Lucille was in her early teens, he built a large wooden platform in the back yard and would hire bands so the young people could dance. She often spoke fondly of those days when relatives and friends would gather at their home on Sunday afternoons. Devotion to the Catholic Church was also an important part of her family heritage. One of her happiest memories was teaching catechism at St. Joseph Church when she was in her twenties.
The Mazzus thought it best that “ladies” work for members of the family. So Lucille worked on and off over the years for her brothers and nephew in their grocery stores and cafes. While working for her brother, Joe Mentz, in his café across the street from Taystee Bread Company, she met Antoine LeBlanc. Lucille fell in love with this easygoing Frenchman from Louisiana and despite her mother’s initial reservations because Antoine was not Italian, they married in December 1943. On July 24, 1952, they became the proud parents of their only child, Antoine Joseph LeBlanc.
After the death of her husband in 1961, Lucille centered her life on her son. She volunteered regularly at his schools and assisted with cub scouts and other activities with which he was involved. Later in life she joined The Women’s Club of Beaumont and spent countless hours on their many projects. Lucille had a lifelong devotion to St. Joseph and worked on St. Joseph Altars every year from the time she was 16. She was still making cookies for the Altar at St. Anthony Basilica last February, at age 100.
Lucille Mazzu LeBlanc was a woman of many interests and talents. She was always ready to help someone with a project if called upon. Lucille loved to cook, sew, and talk about old times. Fishing and crabbing were among her favorite activities and just last week she was planning her next fishing trip. She adored her grandsons and her many nieces and nephews. Lucille was truly one of a kind.
Survivors include her son, Antoine LeBlanc and his wife, Linda, of Beaumont; grandsons, Jason LeBlanc and Matt LeBlanc, both of Houston; and too many cousins, nieces, and nephews to count.
A Rosary for Mrs. LeBlanc will be recited at 5:00 p.m., followed by a gathering of her family and friends Friday, October 17, 2014, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 18, 2014, at Broussard’s, with interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Complete and updated information may be found at: broussards1889.com.
