Eloise D. Lavin

The family of Eloise DeMoss Lavin would like to give thanks to God, our Father for allowing Ms. Lavin to bring beauty and love to all she has met for the past 84 years. Born in Plain Dealing, LA on October 28, 1925, she moved with her parents (James Thomas and Ottalee Heifner DeMoss) and brothers (J.T., Homer, Loyd & Ralph) to Shreveport in 1930. In 1946 she graduated from Centenary College, where she met her future husband, 1st Lt. Vincent Lawrence 'Larry' Lavin of Crawford County, Indiana while he was stationed in Shreveport. Upon Larry's graduation from Centenary, they transferred to New Iberia, LA (1948), then to Lafayette (1957) where Larry was in the petroleum industry, and Eloise was the secretary at Lafayette High School for over 25 years. While working at LHS, Eloise befriended many life-long friends, especially Mary Jean Brazda, Betty Dugal and Ginny Roussel. Some of her favorite memories were of the various trips she took with her 'teacher' friends, as well as the bridge games she had with the same ladies, and others too numerous to mention. She was also blessed with the friendship of Bob & Buttons Adamson, Bernie and Nella Barrilleaux, Wanda Johnson, and Paula Simon. She has truly 'never met a stranger'. She was a loyal parishioner of Our Lady of Fatima; worked with Meals on Wheels; volunteered for 15 years at the gift shop at Our Lady of Lourdes; and has been a true friend to scores of people. Her hobbies in addition to those above were gardening and watching her great grandchildren grow. She was a devoted wife to Larry; a loving mother to sons John (Carol), Bobby (Molly) and Jim (Caleen); an inspirational grandmother to John Lavin of Los Angeles, CA; Billy Lavin (Abigail) of Raleigh, NC; Leah Lavin (Martin) of McLean, VA, and their mother Janie Lemoine; Jake Lavin, Nick Lavin of New Orleans, LA, and Mary Margaret Lavin of Lafayette, LA; Ryan Lavin (Lindsay) of Atlanta, GA; Tricia Lavin Guarisco (Peter) of Katy, TX; Katie Lavin LaSala (Pablo) of Lafayette; Brett Lavin, and their mother Cheryl Mouton Trumps; and the proud great-grandmother to Blythe Lavin(Raleigh, NC); Ava and Luke Lavin(Atlanta, GA); Myrtle, Eloise, and Victor Guarisco (Katy, TX); and Jude, Molli, Emilia, and Isaac LaSala(Lafayette, LA). She was preceded in death by her husband Larry, her precious grandson, Jake Lloyd Lavin, and her parents. Funeral Services will be held at a 1:00 PM Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at Our Lady of Fatima Church. Reverend Msgr. Harry Benefiel will be Celebrant of the Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Entombment will take place in Holy Mary, Mother of God Cemetery. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home of Lafayette on Monday, October 11, 2010 from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm. A rosary will be recited at 6:00 pm Monday evening at the funeral home. Visitation will continue Tuesday at 8:00 am until the time of service. The pallbearers will be Eloise's five surviving grandsons and Jake Lavin. The giftbearers will be her four granddaughters. The family would like to thank all of the caretakers she has had during her time at The Heart Hospital and Louisiana Extended Care; as well as her neighbor Jean Marie Bernard, whose kindness is most appreciated. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Personal condolences may be sent to the Lavin family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Eloise D. Lavin

October 28, 1925 - October 9, 2010