Eloise was born in Sumrall, Mississippi on October 6, 1934 to Emmett Burnham and Mary McLain Burnham. She married Edward Dominique Illanne in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana on March 15, 1954.
Edward and Eloise were long time residents of Ocean Springs, MS where they raised their family, and in 1967 started one of the first residential and commercial air conditioning businesses in that city. They relocated to Cypress, TX in 1988 where Edward started employment with the YMCA of Greater Houston organization.
Eloise was an accomplished seamstress and helped many women learn to sew. She enjoyed making clothes for her daughters, granddaughters and daughter-in-laws as well as decorative drapes and upholstery for her children’s and friends’ homes. She loved to travel and made many trips to locations in Europe, Australia, Canada and throughout the United States.
Eloise was preceded in death by Edward, her husband of 54 years; brothers Paul (Ruby) Burnham, Pete Burnham, and Robert (Linda) Burnham; sisters Johnie (Doug) Breland and Wendell (Jack) Sanford.
She is survived by five children: Deacon Robert (Barbara) Illanne of Gautier, MS; Mike (Julie) Illanne of Ocean Springs, MS; David (Vicky) Illanne of Cypress, TX; Lisa (Jim) Pongrass of Houston, TX; and Deborah (Jeff) Vercher of Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands; 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. As the last of her generation and the family matriarch, she will also be missed by many nieces and nephews and their families.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 13 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church located at 11507 Huffmeister Road, Houston, Texas. The family will receive guests beginning 10:15 a.m. in the narthex (gathering space) in the Church. A reception will be held at the Church after Mass. Burial will be at 2 p.m. at the Houston National Cemetery.
American Heritage Funeral Home of Houston, Texas is honored to serve the family and friends of Doris “Eloise” Illanne. To leave an on-line condolence to the family, visit the website at dignitymemorial.com.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.6