Janice Blue Savoye joined her husband of 64 years, Charles “Pete” Savoye and entered into eternal life on Saturday, December 30, at the age of 91 six months after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and given “a few weeks”. Janice was born on March 20, 1932. She died peacefully at her home in Covington where she relocated after Hurricane Katrina after residing in Chalmette for 52 years. Janice, affectionately known as “Mame”, was the consummate homemaker. She was an excellent cook and won many Gumbo competitions. She was a fabulous seamstress who created outfits and wedding dresses for her daughters, as well as curtains and slipcovers for her home. She loved singing, first on the radio as a teen and later while washing dishes or cleaning and at minstrel shows for Our Lady of Prompt Succor.
She was often behind the scenes as Pete led the effort to close MRGO, and she was known to cook all types of wildlife that he brought home from his hunting trips. As Pete became ill, she took over as the head of the family and was self-sufficient, driving herself to the hairdresser just two weeks before her diagnosis. Janice valued her independence and enjoyed shopping, reading, working word puzzles, and caring for her home and garden. Most of all, she loved her family and looked forward to visits and frequent phone calls.
She was preceded in death by her beloved “Pete”, her parents Elsie Latapie and Warren Latapie (stepfather), Kleo Blue and Louise Blue (stepmother) and treasured grandmother Josephine D’Antoni Solomon who was a guiding force in her life.
She leaves behind her children Kathy Rougelot King (Gary), Sandra Dartus Horwitz (Alan), Shelley DiMaggio (Joe) and Steve Savoye (Tammy), her grandchildren Joe DiMaggio (Krystal), Jason DiMaggio (Jenny), Julie DiMaggio Eades (Jason), Tracy Dartus Helwig (Ronnie), Michelle Rougelot, Monica Rougelot Keifer (Thomas), Holli Kipker Jessee (Robert), Rusty Kipker (Fran), Steven Savoye (Ashley), Kaitlin Savoye Simoneaux (Garrett), 23 great grandchildren, two great, great grandchildren and scores of nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brothers Kleo Blue (Susan) and Barry (Debbie).
A celebration of her life will be held on Thursday, January 4, at St. Bernard Memorial Funeral Home, 701 W. Virtue Street. Visitation will begin at 9 am, followed by a Mass and Burial at 11 am. Friends and family are invited to share memories of Janice on the guestbook at www.stbernardmemorial.com.
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