Gilda Melancon Casey

The angels are rejoicing today as the heavens open to welcome the beautiful soul of Gilda Ann Melancon Casey into the warm and loving embrace of our Almighty Father. Gilda is the daughter of the late Joseph Elmer Melancon and the late Lucile Mire Melancon. She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Clarence Joseph Casey Jr. and her three children, Michael Paul Casey Sr. (spouse Belinda), Donald Ray Casey, and Mary Ann Casey Berkenmeier (spouse Craig). She is also survived by five grandchildren, Michael Paul Casey Jr., Ashley Berkenmeier Meche (spouse Adam), Sarah Berkenmeier Mathews (spouse Mitch), Aaron Berkenmeier, and Jarrod Berkenmeier. She has two precious great-granddaughters, Hailee and Aubree Mathews. Gilda is also survived by her brother, Dr. Paul Mire Melancon and sister-in-law Betsy Prados Melancon, brother-in-law Vincent (Bay) Casey and sister-in-law Theresa Hankins Casey. She was the sister-in-law of the late Jack and Mildred Casey Taylor. She will be missed by a large extended family of cousins, nephews, nieces, grand-nephews, grand-nieces, friends and neighbors. She was a volunteer for over 30 years at the East Jefferson Hospital information desk and was very active throughout her life with various charitable organizations and volunteer efforts. She will be missed all of her fellow volunteer friends at EJGH, but especially by her good friend Dory Theriault. She will be sadly missed by her lifelong special friends Dr. and Mrs. Warren Longmire and the Longmire family of Hitchcock, Texas; as well as Doris and the recently deceased Victor Orozco and the Chamberlin family of San Diego, California. Gilda was a graduate of John McDonough High School and Rabouin School of Art. She was a dedicated and devout Catholic and a member of St. Clement of Rome Parish for the last 39 years. The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to all of the wonderful doctors and their staffs of the East Jefferson medical community for their loving care in providing for Gilda’s health care needs for many years; and to the dedicated professionals who responded to her needs in her final hours. May God bless you for your kind and quick response.

Family and friends are invited to attend her visitation at St. Clement of Rome Church, 4317 Richland Ave. between 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM Thursday January 10, 2013 with the Rosary led by Nancy Montelepre at 12:30 PM and a Mass at 1:00 PM. Interment in Lakelawn Mausoleum will be private at a later date. A reception will follow services for all to attend at the home of Claudette Villalobos 4500 Beau Lac Lane across W. Esplanade from the church on the northwest corner of Beau Lac and West Esplanade Ave. Kindly omit flowers, memorials suggested to your favorite charity.

Tharp-Sontheimer Funeral Home of Metairie in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed online at www.tharpsontheimer.com. Information please call (504) 835-2341