Mabel Soileau

Mabel Veillon Soileau, wife of prominent restaurant owner Clarence Soileau, died on August 10, 2009 at the age of 93.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Landry Catholic Church with interment to follow at Bellevue Memorial Park Cemetery in Opelousas, La. Reverend Gene Tremie will conduct the services.

Mabel was born on February 16, 1916 in Chataignier, La. to Eva Pommier Veillon and Raoul Veillon. She was the oldest of 5 children.

She married Clarence Soileau on September 13, 1936 in Opelousas, La. where they made their home for the 72 years they were married. The couple had 4 children.

Mabels hobby has always been working in her yard. Anyone who knew Mabel knows how much she loved flowers. She was an active member of the Opelousas Garden Club nearly all of her life. She participated annually in the organization of the Bal Masque as well as the Yambilees annual flower show. She was named Woman of the Year by the Opelousas Garden Club in 1974 and she was the Bal Masque queen in 1961. She was a lifetime member of the Elks Auxiliary.

She is preceded in death by all of her siblings - Joseph Claney Veillon of Ville Platte, Clifton J. Veillon, Sr. of Opelousas; Harry Burke Veillon of Orange, Texas and Camille Grace Baldridge of Lafayette.

She is survived by her husband and long time companion of 72 years, Clarence Soileau and her children - Joann Landry and her husband, Willie, of Metairie, La.; Judy Fontenot and her husband, Francis, of Lafayette; Christine Soileau of Lafayette and Scott Soileau and his wife, Beth, of Opelousas. She is also survived by her 7 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren that she was very proud of. She often said, Clarence, look what we started. She was a wonderful person and the perfect mother and grandmother. She will be sadly missed by all.

Visiting hours will be observed in the Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. and will re-open at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2009 until time of service. A rosary service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

A special thank you to her sitters that cared for her night and day - she loved you all. And also a special thanks to nurses, Michael and Melissa of Opelousas Generals Emergency Room and the fifth floor staff and her physicians who showed such compassion and wonderful care in her last hours.
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Visitation

Lafond Ardoin Funeral Home
2845 S. Union Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Service

Church

St. Landry Catholic Church
1020 North Main
Opelousas, LA  70570
Thursday, August 13, 2009
11:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Bellevue Memorial ParkH
Sunset Highway
Opelousas, LA  70570