Elizabeth “Liz” McDonald Pecorino
Published 5:00 am Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Elizabeth “Liz” McDonald Pecorino, 83, passed away at home in Lake Charles, La. on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 with her beloved family by her side. She was born on March 16, 1940, in Lafayette, La., to Homer “Joe” and Mildred Billeaud McDonald. She moved to Opelousas, La. as a youth.
Liz attended Academy of Sacred Heart Grand Coteau and graduated from Academy of the Immaculate Conception (AIC) in Opelousas. Upon graduation, she attended Lamar University and then moved to Lake Charles, La. While working at a doctor’s office in 1960, she met John Pecorino, who was working next door at a pharmacy. Six months later, they were married.
For 40 years, she and John owned John’s Pharmacy in Lake Charles. During this time, she also worked at PPG Industries and retired after 23 years. As busy as she was with work and her family, she was a founding organizer of ASA Softball league for youth in Lake Charles. Her hobbies included golf, tennis, sailing, and photography, with her favorite being golf. For several years after retiring, she golfed nearly every day and was an active member of Ladies Golf Association (LGA) and Lake Charles Country Club Ladies Golf.
Liz will perhaps be most remembered for her devotion to her Catholic faith. She believed in the importance of daily prayers and shared the importance of prayer with many, especially praying the Rosary and Chaplet of Devine Mercy. Liz was the first Lay Missionary of Charity (LMC) of Lafayette, which is a lay branch of the Missionaries of Charity of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, who care for the poorest of the poor. Liz professed her vows to Mother Teresa in 1988 and in 1989 she traveled to California for a vow ceremony with Mother Teresa. Liz renewed her LMC vows for a decade.
Those left to cherish her memory are, her beloved husband of 63 years, John C. Pecorino; her son, John Pecorino (Will Paulson); her daughters, Angela Pecorino Etheridge (Dave) and Linda Pecorino; her brother Pat McDonald (Donna).
She was preceded in death by her parents, and her son, Anthony “Tony” Pecorino; and her brother, Mike McDonald.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024 at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Msgr. Daniel Torres will serve as Celebrant and Homilist, along with Msgr. Harry Greig, Msgr. Jace Eskind, and Father Nathan Long. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles. Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Home, 4321 Lake Street, Lake Charles, La. on the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 2 beginning at 5 p.m. and continuing until 8 p.m. with a rosary being recited at 6 p.m. Visitation will resume on Wednesday at 12 p.m. and continue until leaving in procession to the church.
The family would like to acknowledge the care and compassion provided by the following: Dorothy Linscombe (Care Provider); Heart of Hospice, especially Sherie, Julie, and Ashley; incredible neighbors and friends; Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church’s Heartworks Ministry (Fr. Paul Jussen, Kellie Comeaux, Gail Maples and Team) for providing spiritual support and delivering Holy Communion, which enabled Liz to fulfill her missionary role in the life of the church.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Diocese of Lake Charles (1201 Ryan Street, LC, 70601) or Our Lady Good Counsel Heart Ministries (221 Aqua Drive, LC, 70605).
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.
