Anne Hollier

Anne Marie Hollier succumbed to illness recently. A native of Opelousas, this lifelong educator had an indelible influence on the lives of thousands of students, student-athletes, competitors, admirers, and colleagues. Her love for family, friends, and faith was unparalleled among those who had the great pleasure of knowing her. To know her was to love her. Her passion for competition made her a tough opponent. One could not walk away from a game against her without being impressed by her sportsmanship, or her determination. The world has lost a great teacher and coach; it has lost a true competitor. Anne had an abiding love for the game of golf, and athletics in general. She shared that love with her family, in particular with her nieces and nephews who learned the game under her tutelage from an early age. Anne swung a mean stick; the fairway was her way. She was the Louisiana Women’s Amateur Golf Champion seven times. Beginning with her first championship in 1968, she ravaged opponents with both a brilliant long and short game, but those who walked the course with her knew that her greatest skill was fierce competitiveness. That keen sense of competition was imparted upon those who came to know her on the links; it was also a hallmark of her life. Her sense of sportsmanship was legendary. Fairness was a given. To be coached or taught by Anne was a blessing that few have forgotten. Coaching alongside or against her was a lesson in the finer points of whatever game was at hand, but it was a greater lesson in the finer points of life. Determination. Pluck. Resolve. Call it what you will. She had it in reserve, and shared it in copious amounts with anyone who came to know her. Those who studied her character were afforded a brush with greatness. Legendary coaches with more recognizable names would have instantly seen something familiar in what and how she taught, and in the way she conducted herself. Strategist, tactician, and possessor of great in-game vision, she never took an opponent lightly. Half the reason she won a state championship as a basketball coach at Opelousas High was her character; the other half was her faith. Those who knew her best had not only tremendous love for her, but also the greatest respect for the way she carried herself in all aspects of life. She had a devotion to the Holy Catholic Church, Jesus Christ, and her faith life was itself a paragon of virtue. She catechised thousands of students in a volunteer capacity not only at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, but in everyday life. She shared her faith. Anne shared everything she had; a more generous soul would be difficult to find. The lessons she taught were everlasting. She will be sorely missed. Born October 12, 1935. Died July 10, 2021.

She is survived by one brother, Richard Martin Hollier, Jr., and by three generations of adoring nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Richard Martin Hollier, Sr. and Gladys Perrault Hollier; by three sisters, Inez Horecky, Edith Mahfouz, and Bonnie Tilly; and, by two brothers, James Hollier and Charles Hollier. Anne’s family also extends a special expression of gratitude to Richard and Liz Horecky, Cassandra Lastrapes, Jenny Beauregard, Nancy Guillory and Lynn Pavich for providing such compassionate care to Anne during her recent illness.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Opelousas on Wednesday, July 14th at 11a.m. Public visitation will be held at 10 a.m., followed by Holy Rosary and eulogy at 10:30 a.m.