Dr. Shirley Jean Mancuso

Dr. Shirley Jean Mancuso, Ph. D.

Shirley “Jean” Mancuso was born on January 10, 1940 and went home to her Lord and Savior on April 17, 2020.

Jean loved learning and teaching; she started school at the age of three at Academy of Immaculate Conception in Opelousas and graduated from University of Louisiana /Southwestern at the age of nineteen.  She then moved to Lake Charles and started teaching.  After teaching at middle and elementary schools for nearly twenty years, Jean went on to Louisiana State University to complete her education and obtain her Ph.D. in Early Childhood Development.  She retired Principal at Barbe Elementary with thirty-three years of service to education.

While living in Lake Charles she met her soul mate, Bill.  They were married on June 2, 1961 and were married almost 59 years.  She created a life of love, proudly raising three children, David, Ken and Julie, and adoring her four grandchildren, Will, Lauren, Juliette and Grace, who she loved very much and who knew her as “Gigi”.        

Jean loved her Cajun heritage and was so proud of “Coach O” and the LSU Tigers this past year!!  She also loved cooking and was an excellent cook.  As a Cajun, she learned to make an awesome Sicilian spaghetti sauce and meatballs that Bill says, was better than his Mom’s!!  Jean also loved to travel with family and friends.

She was predeceased by her parents, Carlton Guillory and Lydia Ortego Lemoine.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, William “Bill” Mancuso of Lake Charles; three children, William David Mancuso and wife Lisa of Prairieville, Kenneth Alan Mancuso and wife Carolyn of San Geronimo, CA and Julie Christine Mancuso of Lake Charles; four grandchildren, William Daryl Mancuso, Lauren Elizabeth Mancuso, Juliette Claire Mancuso and Grace Ryan Mancuso.  She also leaves a close family friend, Carla Venissat.                                                                           

In addition to loving her family and her heritage, Jean loved her Catholic faith and served as a lector, Eucharistic Minister and would say her rosary very often even until the very end.  The family would like to thank Dr. Ron Lewis, for his compassionate and professional care, along with Melinda Strickland, NPN and the rest of their staff, as well as heartfelt thanks to Dr. Michael Bergeron and the many doctors and staff of M.D. Anderson who helped her over the years with her Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.  Also, the family would also like to thank Del Marburgh who provided assistance to Jean and Bill during the past months.

In compliance with state order, her services will be a private family gathering.  Graveside services will be held at Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.  Father Whitney Miller will officiate. A Memorial Mass will be held at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church when circumstances permit.

In lieu of flowers, the family would request memorial donations be made to Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church.