She met Ellis Istre when she worked in a bakery in Crowley, Louisiana. They married on June 3, 1946, and were married for 50 years before his passing. While living in Louisiana, they had 3 children, Ronnie, Carol, and Sue. They then moved to Houston where they welcomed their fourth child, Jerry.
Thelma was raised in the Catholic faith. She was a member of All Saints Catholic Church and her children attended All Saints Catholic School.
She was a loving mother. She took care of her 4 kids and worked hard throughout her life. At age 62, she retired from Blue Ribbon Packing Company. After that, she and Ellis cleaned houses for many years.
She and Ellis loved to dance. They belonged to the Cajun French Music Association where they attended dances monthly. As she got older, she enjoyed listening to PT’s on the radio which was Cajun and Zydeco music. She also enjoyed going to play bingo and going to the casinos.
Thelma loved cooking and baking for her family. She made the best blackberry cobbler and fig cake, but her pineapple cake was the favorite. Everyone would get excited when she made it. At Christmas, she loved to make fruitcake and share it with others. She cooked the best Cajun food like gumbo, etouffee, and jambalaya. She also loved for the family to get together for a crawfish boil.
Thelma loved opening gifts. She was like a little kid on birthdays and Christmas. She would get so excited to open a gift and couldn’t wait to open another one. Easter was another favorite holiday. She loved to get dressed up and watch the grandchildren and later great-grandchildren hunt for eggs.
Thelma was a special wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend whose memory we will carry in our hearts forever.
A visitation for Thelma will be held Monday, March 7, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Heights Funeral Home, 1317 Heights Blvd, Houston, Texas 77008. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM later that evening. Funeral service is scheduled for Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 11:15 AM, at the Heights Funeral Home. A committal service will follow at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr., Houston, Texas 77038.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.heightsfuneralhome.com for the Istre family.
