Desiree (Desi) Marlene Devereaux-Heis departed this life on Feb. 19, 2024, joining family who preceded her: parents Maureen and Aden Devereaux, sister Barbara Champagne, brother-in-law Stewart Ferguson, and niece Alexandra Hendriks. Left behind to deeply mourn her are sisters Sherry Devereaux Ferguson and Claire Devereaux Smith, spouse Heidi Devereaux-Heis, and her large extended family whose lives she followed so closely.

   Born in Lake Charles on October 12, 1956, Desi was high-spirited, smart, and social. She had many friends from her years of schooling in Lake Charles and from her membership in the Krewe of Illusions, where she once served as queen. Desi obtained a BA and MEd+40 at McNeese.  Her career included teaching positions at South Cameron High, McNeese, and SOWELA, where staff and students benefited from her keen intelligence and expansive knowledge. Desi also worked for a time at the American Press.

 With a heavy heart, Desi moved from Lake Charles to Indiana after the last hurricane devastated the family home beyond her ability to repair and regroup. After the move and a bad encounter with Covid, Desi’s health declined, and she was unable to overcome complications from surgery in early 2024. Her family wishes that you remember her as the good, kind, intelligent, and generous spirit that she was —deeply loving, nonjudgmental, always looking for ways to uplift and help people in need.