Our beloved mother, Eileen F. Mailhes, was born June 28, 1931 in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was 90 years old when she passed away on the evening of January 2, 2022, surrounded by family at her bedside.
Eileen was the third child of Louis DeLille and Gertrude Elizabeth Messersmith Arnoult. She attended Sacred Heart High School and was on the honor roll yearly. She was “known for her quick, facetious remarks, her golden-kerneled jokes and her genial disposition” as described in her high school’s newspaper when she was chosen as Catholic Teen of the Month. These traits remained throughout her life as she was known by family and friends for her engaging storytelling and comedic jabs. And even as she dealt with the mentally debilitating effects of dementia, she would occasionally still make her funny comments that gave us glimpses of her personality.
Upon high school graduation, Eileen entered the workforce as a stenographer for Shell Oil Company’s Oil and Gas Division. She sought out every challenge to advance in her duties. She was a lively worker and friend to many at Shell and it was on a blind date at a Shell Halloween dance that she met Louis Eugene Mailhes. She was immediately attracted to the young Lou as were other single ladies. Eileen didn’t think that she would hold up to the competition, but the following day, he asked her out to the movies. Eileen, not one to accept dates on the same day as the invitation, broke her rule and quickly accepted. Louis and Eileen were married less than two years later on June 16, 1956.
They began their lives together in New Orleans but spent three years moving all over the country as Lou performed accounting audits for Shell. They claim to have driven through or lived in all but 3 of the 48 contiguous United States, three children in tow, during those years. Their fourth child was born following the traveling years. They settled in Conroe, TX, in 1970.
She wrote poetry for her family marking big events, from graduations to marriages to grandkids to her own 50th anniversary. She even wrote about the loss and rebuilding of their home from the 1994 flood in the Conroe area.
Eileen used her organizational skills to commandeer her household of active children with their many activities including being on the committee to start up the River Plantation Swim Team back in the 1970’s. Later she expertly planned many wonderful family reunion vacations for our growing family before the internet days to places in New Mexico, Colorado, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi, along with two cruises. She used her “can do” attitude to accomplish many things from teaching herself to swim when she was a young adult to taking up tennis and golf in her middle years as well as snow skiing. She loved dancing and music and often listened to Neil Diamond and Elvis while cleaning the house to help her liven the dreary task. As an excellent seamstress, she made costumes for the family for our participation in a Mardi Gras Parade in New Orleans one year. Being an avid gardener who was always tending to her numerous flower beds, she earned the “Yard of the Month” sign many times for her golf course facing backyard.
Lou and Eileen were a month shy of celebrating their 62nd anniversary when he passed away in May of 2018. They lived a life of commitment to each other and devotion to the Lord as well as loving their family. Prayer was a daily activity for each of them and we, as their children, have benefitted from their commitment to each other and to the Lord. We will miss her loving influence each and every day.
She is survived by her four children and their spouses, 16 grandchildren and their spouses, and 24 great grandchildren:
Catherine Ann Kennedy and Kerry, with their children Lauren Carter (Nick), Benjamin Kennedy (Yliana), Aubrey Laws (Brad), DeAnna Lavery (Bryan) and Luke Kennedy (Kate),
James Paul Mailhes and Kelley, with their children Jessie Pruett (Jeff), Trey Mailhes (Marisa), and Logan Mailhes (Madi),
Karen Marie Swoap and David, with their children Ashley Post (Kevan), Hannah Johnson (Wes), Kimberly Gillespie (Sanders), Renee Chappell (Jesse) and Sarah Swoap,
And Peter Brian Mailhes and Shelli, with their children Victoria Gerasmek (Eddie), Blake Mailhes, and Mikayla Mailhes.
She was predeceased by her husband, Louis, her parents and her two siblings, Gertrude Bernard of New Orleans, LA, and George Arnoult of New Orleans, LA.
A small family memorial will take place in New Orleans at a future date.
Donations in Eileen’s name can be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society at Sacred Heart Church, Conroe, Texas. When using this link, you can choose the online giving option and then select the fund “St. Vincent de Paul” to make your donation. https://www.shconroe.org/giving/online-giving
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