Carolyn Cangelosi Perrault passed away peacefully at her home in Baton Rouge, on Friday, December 6, 2024, at the age of 88, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on February 8, 1936, in Baton Rouge to Roe Frank Cangelosi and Mena Callari Cangelosi.
Carolyn was a proud graduate of St. Joseph’s Academy Class of 1954. She then attended Louisiana State University, where she earned a degree in education and, as she fondly put it, her “M.R.S.” During her time at LSU, she met her future husband Charles “Swatty” Perrault. Their story began on Halloween night in 1957, when Swatty and his friends knocked on her family’s door. Instead of “trick or treat,” Swatty and friends demanded “drinks or else.”
Swatty was the love of her life and their serendipitous meeting led to a beautiful marriage of nearly 66 years in which they built a life rooted in faith, family, and friendship. Together, they raised four children and delighted in the joy of their eight grandchildren.
A devoted Catholic, Carolyn was a faithful member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church for more than 60 years. She loved her family fiercely and nothing brought her greater happiness than being surrounded by her children and grandchildren for Sunday dinners and holidays. Carolyn was an exceptional cook, taking pride in her kitchen, where her LSU diploma hung proudly over the sink. From cherished Italian recipes passed down through generations, to the wild game Swatty brought home from dove and duck hunting trips, Carolyn's meals were an expression of her love. Her beautifully set tables and engaging conversations left lasting memories for all who knew her. She and Swatty loved playing records and dancing, and it was common to find them dancing and singing to Johnny Mathis in the kitchen.
Carolyn was an avid card player who participated in regular bourrée and bridge groups for many years. She and Swatty shared a love for gin rummy, keeping score over the years and surpassing 100,000 points on multiple occasions. Few things could spark Carolyn’s fiery spirit like losing a card game to Swatty!
Travel was another shared passion for Carolyn and Swatty. She loved regular trips to New York and Houston with friends. Carolyn and Swatty explored many countries with dear friends and created treasured family memories for their children and grandchildren with trips to False River, the beach and North Carolina.
Carolyn inherited a deep love of LSU sports from her parents and was a lifelong supporter and longtime season ticket holder for LSU football, basketball, and baseball, rarely missing an opportunity to cheer for the Tigers. Over the years, she witnessed Billy Cannon’s epic Halloween run, Pete Maravich play in the Cow Palace, and Warren Morris’ historic grand slam in Omaha at the College World Series.
Carolyn is survived by her devoted husband, Charles “Swatty” Perrault; her children, Charles Perrault Jr. (Jeanne), Mary Williams (Ben), Stephen Perrault (David Faul), and Michael Perrault (Julie); and her cherished grandchildren, Molly Daniel (Miller), Abby Perrault, Emma Perrault, Claire Perrault, Edwin Perrault, David Perrault, Cate Perrault, and Mary Grace Richardson (Reed Dier).
She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved brothers and sisters-in-law: Roy and Helen Cangelosi, Marion and Jerry Cangelosi, and Bob and Frances Cangelosi.
In addition to the care, she received from Swatty and her family, Carolyn was graciously cared for by Taushica Traylor, Chanell Johnson, Rochaun Obinali, Connie Harvey, Nicole Skidmore.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 9:30am-11:30am at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30am.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Academy or Catholic High School.
