Mary “Eileen” Gravel Cappel, 81, of Lake Charles, La., died Wednesday, July 31. 

She was born in Alexandria, La. in 1943 to Camille Francis Gravel Jr. and Katherine David Gravel. Eileen attended the University of Dallas, she moved back to Alexandria where she worked for her father in his private practice and political pursuits. After she and Dick were married and began their family, her children became her avocation. She was a constant volunteer in their schools, worked with friends in private clothing retail, and explored other niches throughout her life. She and Dick were married for 55 years, supporting and grounding one another through life’s joys and travails. 

Eileen was preceded in death by her husband, Richard “Dick” Berchmann Cappel; her sisters and brothers, Katherine “Ann” Vanderslice, Camille Francis Gravel III, Eunice Holloman Gravel, Charles Gregory “Greg” Gravel, and Richard Alvin Gravel, and is survived by her sisters, brothers along with their spouses, Martha Louise Antoon and Thomas Anthony Antoon, Charles “Grady” Gravel, Virginia “Ginny” Maureen Carbo, Margaret “Lynn” Gravel, Mark Alan Gravel and fiancee, Lisa Gwyn DeMaggio, and brother-n-law, Stephen Jerome Vanderslice, and their many children and grandchildren. She is also survived by her daughters, Martha Louise Cappel, her three children, Elizabeth Holloman Elder, Auguste West Elder and Benjamin Francis Elder; Amy Elizabeth Cappel and her son, Samuel David Cappel, and her son, John Berchmann Cappel and his wife, Allison Rogers Cappel, and their two children, Thomas Berchmann Cappel and Maggie May Cappel.

We will be holding a mass at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church on Aug. 12 at 11:30 a.m.  Monsignor Greg will officiate the mass. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Eileen’s life.