Mary Lena DeBate Matherne, a resident of Paulina (Grand Point), she died Sunday, July 19, 2009, at 6:15 p.m. at St. James Parish Hospital, Lutcher. She was 89 and a retired cafeteria manager with the St. James Parish school system.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 21, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Alexander Funeral Home, Lutcher, and Wednesday, July 22, from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Paulina. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
She is survived by five sons, Joseph “Dale” Matherne and his wife, Carla, Dennis Matherne and his wife, Linda, Johnny Matherne and his wife, Andrea, Patrick Matherne and his wife, Millie, and Ernie Matherne Sr. and his wife, Grace; six daughters, Emily M. Boudreaux and her husband, Riley, Dr. Beverly Matherne, Shirley M. Poche and her husband, Charles, Charmaine M. Ordeneaux and her husband, Floyd “Monk,” Karen M. Tramonte and her husband, Michael “Cheeky,” and Paula M. Weber and her husband, Jimmy; two brothers, Francois Joseph “Smokey” DeBate Jr. and Lawrence “Mickey” DeBate; three sisters, Geneva D. LeBans, Florence D. Daily and Geraldine D. Berthlot; sister-in-laws, Mae Matherne Madere and Marilyn Meek Matherne; 29 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis “Chinee” Matherne; father, Francois Joseph DeBate; and mother, Alice Brignac Debate; two sons, Curtis Matherne Jr. and Albert Matherne; brothers, Robert DeBate, Jesse DeBate, Dennis DeBate, Roosevelt DeBate, Freddie DeBate and Johnny DeBate; three sisters, Elma D. Stringer, Alice D. Laiche and Beulah D. McCullough.
She has lived in Paulina for the past 72 years after moving from Sorrento. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Third Order of Mary, St. Anne Altar Society, Catholic Daughters, TOPS/KOPS, St. James Historical Society and St. James Community Theater. She was an honorary member of the St. James Boat Club, former constable of District 3, a published poet and award winning baker.
Friends and family may send their condolences and thoughts to www.mem.com.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.0