Mary Helen Tremie Manuel of Lake Charles passed away Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, after a long and happy life.
Mrs. Manuel was born in Ville Platte, La., to Sidney Tremie and Marie Soileau Tremie. She was a graduate of Ville Platte High School and the University of Southwestern Louisiana, now UL Lafayette, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. She began her teaching career in Southwest Louisiana at elementary schools of Westlake, Iowa and Basile. In 1951, while visiting a cousin, she met her future husband, a dashing young Navy man who was surprisingly also an educator. In 1953, they married, traveled and continued teaching while Robert furthered his education. In 1962, their first daughter was born, Mary Lee and in 1971, they were blessed with their youngest, Rachel Anne. While raising her daughters, taking care of Robert and teaching school, Mrs. Manuel allocated time to be an active member of the Catholic Daughters and the Cal-Cam Teachers Association. She retired alongside her husband in the mid 80s, both with over thirty years of teaching in the classroom. She enjoyed reading, watching news broadcast, current events and worldly news, putting up vegetables from the garden and singing while working in the kitchen. 1999, her daughters surprised her with the joy of three grandchildren: twin girls and a boy. Mrs. Manuel will be most remembered for her love and devotion to her family, as a lady of grace and faith and for always being well dressed and made up.
She leaves to cherish her memory, one daughter, Mary Lee LaCasse and husband Thomas; son-in-law, Rachel’s husband, Brennan André Abadie of Lake Charles; five grandchildren, Brennan Abadie, Meagan, Madison and Ashleigh LaCasse and Samantha Morris and husband Jimmy. She also leaves her sister, Neva Young Veron; brother, James Tremie and wife Elsie; seven great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; numerous nieces, nephews and two Godchildren, Peggy Cormier and Marsha Fruge.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Robert Lee Manuel; daughter, Rachel Anne Abadie; and her parents.
A Mass of Christian burial will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Monsignor James Gaddy will officiate. Interment will follow in Consolata Cemetery. Visitation Saturday will be from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. with a rosary service beginning at 10 a.m. in the funeral home.
Pallbearers for her services will be Thomas LaCasse, André Abadie, Brennan Abadie, Johnny Manuel, Dennis Cormier and Russell Miller.
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.