Martha Ann Viau Baul

Martha Ann Viau Baul passed away suddenly on July 28, 2023, leaving behind her daughter and best friend, Laurel, her family, her many friends from work, volunteering, and church. Martha was a dedicated daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, friend and dog mom to her beloved Scottish Terriers and Schnauzers.

Martha was preceded in death by her mother, Martha Elizabeth Appel Viau, her father, Frederic Henry Viau, and her niece Karin Pic McIntire.

Martha is survived by her former spouse Stephen Henry Baul, her daughter Laurel Jeannine Baul Weckwerth, her sister Jane Elizabeth Viau Pic Adams, her nieces Avery Pic Swihart, and Carolyn Pic, as well as her nephew Aubrey Pic.

Martha graduated from John F. Kennedy Senior High and served 16 years in the state civil service as the Dean’s Assistant at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Allied Health Professions. Prior to employment at LSU, she worked for several years in the St. Tammany Parish School System. Martha was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church and later became a member of St. Timothy Methodist Church and took part in Ronnie’s Life Ministry. She loved participating in St. Tammany Parish Library Craft Classes and enjoyed her Silver Sneakers yoga classes. She was also a member of the Avery Memorial Association. Martha regularly volunteered her lunch hour at St. Joseph’s Church Rebuild Center for the homeless, where she served lunches with the Lantern Light Ministry since 2007.

Martha sought peace and happiness in life and was never one to back down from a challenge. She was curious and loved to learn. She read books in a single day and often mentioned how she would have loved to be a character in a Jane Austen novel. Martha was known as an excellent cook; she used recipes for the ideas and rarely for the measurements. With her quick wit, Martha could lend much needed comedic relief in tense moments and loved to crack jokes with family and friends.

In her strength and independence, she fought for what she believed in and volunteered her time and energy to those who were less fortunate. Martha was a talented artist and taught herself many things like sewing, painting, quilting, needlepoint, and crocheting. Martha will be deeply missed by her daughter who is so proud of all her mom accomplished in her life. Martha always told Laurel that no matter what life brings as long as you think of me, I will live in your memories.

Services will be held on Friday, August 18, 2023 at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd New Orleans, LA 70124. Visitation will begin at 10:00AM followed by a service at 11:00AM.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in her name to Lantern Light Ministry via mail or on the website listed below. Please make note that the donation is in memory of Martha Ann Viau Baul to Lantern Light Ministry, 1802 Tulane Avenue New Orleans, LA 70112 https://lanternlight.org/