Alice "Gene" Lester St. Romain

Alice "Gene" Lester St. Romain passed away on October 1, 2015, at her home in Lake Charles, LA. She was born on February 10, 1926 in Shreveport, La. to James Ezra "Jack" and Alice Helena Shubert Lester. Gene has made innumerable contributions to Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish, the Diocese of Lake Charles and the general community. She is an alumnus of St. Mary's Dominican College of New Orleans, founding the first chapter of which she was the first president. Gene is a charter member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish, and was on the Building and Research Committees of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church, the Monsignor Irving A. DeBlanc Family Life Community Center, and Villa Maria Assisted Living Center. She was also a member of the Building Committee of the Diocesan Spirituality Retreat Center. She served as Chairman, Public Relations, and President of the Diocesan Deanery Council of Catholic Women. She has chaired the Thanksgiving Ecumenical Community Service in South Lake Charles for Several Years. She was Chairman of the Parish Council for 2 years, the Parish Council for Catholic Women for 6 years, served as president and member of the OLQH School Board for 6 years and served as Catholic Representative on the Council for Quality Education in Louisiana. She was a member of the Serra Club, Catholic Daughters of the Americas and member/past president of the Altar Society. Gene founded the Martha's Group, a housekeeping service for Monsignor Irving A. DeBlanc. Gene was invested as an officer of the Order of St. Charles in 1983. The Most Reverent Jude Speyrer, Bishop emeritus of Lake Charles, established this award for those who have contributed in a special way to the welfare and development of the Church and the diocese. In 1989 she was also invested with membership in the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Being a volunteer has always given Gene the greatest joy. Her dear friend, Monsignor Irving A. DeBlanc, called her "The Volunteer of the Century!" She was always called upon for her flair in design. She has chaired numerous receptions for newly ordained priests, ordination and profession anniversaries, and has decorated the Bishop's home for many annual clergy receptions. She was involved in the interior design and layout of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church and Villa Maria Assisted Living Center. Gene was a member and twice president of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Southwest Louisiana Dental Association. She participated in the Lake Charles Chapter of the American Cancer Society's "Show for Life" for 6 years. She and her beloved, late husband, Dr. P. J. St. Romain, Jr., were co-donors of the Samaritan Council Building and received the first award given by "Friends" of the Samaritan Council Association. Gene was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. P. J. St.Romain, Jr., her parents, her brother Jack Lester, two sisters, Ursula (Skippy) St. Romain, and Lois Lester, and her great-grandson Alexander Patrick St. Romain. Survivors are 1 brother, David E. Lester, and wife Jan, of Metairie, her 7 children, Preston John St.Romain, III and wife Joanie of Lake Charles, Randall James St.Romain and wife Catherine of Topsy, Susan Marie St.Romain Briggs and husband John of Lake Charles, Eugene David St. Romain and wife Linda of Prosper, Tx, Bryan James St.Romain and wife Connie of Sunset, Mary Cadie St.Romain of Abilene, Tx, and John Francis St.Romain and wife Jackie of Lake Charles. 21 grandchildren Patricia Stroderd and husband Clint,, Preston St.Romain IV and wife Katy, Brady St.Romain and wife Kena, Jon Paul St.Romain and wife Bethany, Michael McClosky and wife Cynthia, Angelilc Thibodeaux and husband Tim, Kristie St.Romain, Billie Jean Sherrod and husband Jason, Randall St.Romain and wife Danielle, Bryan Briggs and wife Kelly, Sarah Bell and husband Wylie, Anna Poole and husband Jason, Libby Guidry and husband Joey, Oran St.Romain, Adam St.Romain and wife Sara, Claire Bass and husband Greg, Luke St.Romain, Ashley O'Neil and husband Sean, Seth Still and wife Jeny, Cadie St.Romain and Blake St.Romain. She has 31 great-grandchildren, Arden and Austin Stroderd, Luke, Beau and Drew St.Romain, Braelyn, Emmylou and Lucille St. Romain, Penelope St. Romain, Kerstin McColsky, Christopher, Kade, John Paul and Amberly Thibodeaux, Matthew, Landon and Oliver St., Romain, Willie and Molly Briggs, Wyatt, Hunter and Hannah Bell, Aubrey Adkins, Jack and Millie Poole, Joseph, Ava and Celia Guidry, Annabelle St.Romain, Patrick Bass and Gavin O'Neal. She had 7 great-great-grandchildren, Kiley, Mollie, Vanessa, Jayden, Aaliyah, and Rosalynn Thibodeaux, and Aiden Burks. The family would like to express our sincere gratitude to Arleen Elliott, Mary Guillory, Linda Patrick and Christus Hospice for the loving care she received during her illness; also Msgr. James Gaddy, the OLQH Staff and especially Elaine Trahan. Pallbearers will be her 5 sons, Preston, Randall, David, Bryan, and John St.Romain, and her son-in-law John Briggs. Honorary pallbearers will be her 11 grandsons, Preston, Brady and Jon Paul St.Romain, Michael McClosky, Randy St.Romain, Brian Briggs, Oran, Adam and Luke St. Romain, Seth Still, and Blake St. Romain. A Mass of Christian burial will be observed at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 3, 2015, at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. Monsignor James Gaddy will officiate. Burial will follow in Lacassine Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will begin on Friday from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a rosary being recited at 6:00 PM. Visitation will resume on Saturday from 9:00 AM until leaving for the church at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church or Christus Hospice of Lake Charles.