Lucille Marie LeBlanc
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Lucille Marie LeBlanc
October 8, 1913 - October 14, 2014
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.
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