Mildred Joan "Millie" Prejean, born on January 2, 1925, in Glassport, Pennsylvania, peacefully passed away on November 21, 2023, at the age of 98 in Sulphur, Louisiana. She was a proud first-generation American, born to Polish immigrants, Anthony and Antonette Kaczka and was the last of 14 siblings to depart from this world.
Millie proudly served in the US Marine Corps from 1945 to 1946, where she later re-enlisted in 1948-1951 and crossed paths with her future husband, Pat Prejean.
Raised around the steel mills of Pittsburgh, she traded the hills and snow of western Pennsylvania, for the flat, warm landscapes of Southwestern Louisiana, Pat's home state. She embraced Southern living and quickly picked up the skills for Cajun cooking. She will be remembered for her Sunday meals which were usually a feast of Polish dishes, gumbo, lasagna or the epic barbeques she and Pat would spend hours preparing. Those barbeques could feed a neighborhood and quite often included neighbors and friends in addition to their growing family.
When she wasn't busy doing upkeep of her house and yard, she enjoyed reading and learning, crossword puzzles, music and playing cards. Those who knew Millie will not only remember her for her fierce independence and remarkable strength, but also for her selfless kindness and whip-smart sense of humor. Her warm and caring nature endeared her to all those she encountered and one would be hard pressed to find someone who wasn't in awe of her character.
She is survived by loving children, Curtis Prejean, Judy Prejean, Kathy Fore (John), Trudy McConnaughhay (Pat), Mary Ann Prejean, and Richard Prejean. She also leaves behind cherished grandchildren, Paul (Alice) Fore, Zachary Prejean, Brandi (Scott) Thompson, Eric (Faisal) Prejean, Anna Beth (Seth) Barrilleaux, William McConnaughhay and Kristen (Marlon) Morales, and great-grandchildren, Conner Thompson, Caroline Thompson, Emilia Fore, and Marion Barrilleaux.
Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Pat; son, Terry; daughter-in-law, Ellen; and grandsons, Jesse Prejean and Justin Fore; their memories remain in the hearts of those who loved them.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Sulphur, Louisiana on Monday, November 27, 2023, at 1:30 pm, with Father Edward J. Richard, MS officiating. Visitation will be prior to the Mass at Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home, beginning at 11:00 am, until the procession to the church. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery in Sulphur, Louisiana.
May Millie's soul rest in eternal peace, and may her memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved her.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hixsonsulphurmemorial.com for the Prejean family.
