Mary V. Rivers, 91, passed away Thursday, October 31, 2024 at her Lake Sherwood Village home in Baton Rouge surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and compassionate caregivers. She was born on March 4, 1933 in Reddell, Louisiana to Marie Devillier Fontenot and Marcel Fontenot. Mrs. Rivers married her husband, Bruce, in 1952 and together they raised five children. Mary proudly supported Bruce’s Air Force career and she enjoyed traveling with him, and their young children to many parts of the world. Mary and Bruce made their home in DeQuincy in 1973, officially retiring in 1990 to enjoy a lengthy retirement in their golden years. Mary was an active member of Our Lady of LaSalette Catholic Church where she was a member of the choir for many years. She was appointed Divisional Leader of the Adoration Chapel at the time of its inception and held this appointment with dedicated passion for over 15 years. Our mom possessed a keen sense of imagination and a cheerful personality. She enjoyed expressing herself through song and writing and has had numerous poems and short stories published. In 2008, her personal story, Deaf Lives in Contrast, was published by Gallaudet University Press. In 2021 Mary relocated to Baton Rouge to be near her children and grandchildren.
Mary is survived by three sons and their families, Monty and Brenda, Clay and Ginger, Bruce Jr. and Michelle and a daughter, Tricia and her husband, Nat; fifteen grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; and a host of loving nephews; nieces; and friends.
Mary is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years whom she cared for in their DeQuincy home until the time of his death in 2016; a son, Darrell, great grandson, Theodore; her parents; and all of her siblings.
The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to Audubon Hospice and Jen’s Angels for providing excellent care their mom. Also, a special heartfelt thank you to Mary's caring and compassionate caregivers with whom she shared a very special bond: Jennifer Pearson, Gina, Ebony, Dee, Tanner, Trygg, Kenya, Valerie, Kathy, and Shannon.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of LaSalette Catholic Church in DeQuincy on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 11:00 am, with Father Luis Tigga officiating. Visitation will be at Hixson-Snider Funeral Home in DeQuincy on Friday, November 8, 2024, from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm, with a Rosary at 7:00 pm. Visitation will resume at the funeral home on Saturday, at 9:00 am. There will be a short memory sharing beginning at 10:15 am, and then a procession to Our Lady of LaSalette Catholic Church. Burial will follow after the Mass at Masonic Cemetery in DeQuincy.
Services entrusted to Jordan and Amanda Mothershed of Hixson-Snider Funeral Home.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonsnider.com.
