Ethel Lafleur Boley

Ethel LaFleur Boley passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Monday, June 19, 2017. She was surrounded by family and friends praying for her speedy entry into heaven.

          Ethel was born on August 29, 1931 in Mamou. She was the youngest child of Isreal and Francoise Guillory LaFleur. The family moved to Lake Charles when Ethel was six months old, and she and her brothers and sisters were raised here.

Ethel’s father Isreal became active in local politics and was elected to the Lake Charles City Council. When President Eisenhower announced the creation of the interstate highway system in the 1950s, Isreal foresaw the benefit of getting a “loop” constructed through the south part of the city. He began lobbying for what eventually became I-210, often spending his own money to fly to Washington, D.C., to meet with government officials. Because of his persistence, Congress funded I-210. When it became a reality in the 1960s, it was the first interstate highway “loop” in Louisiana. The I-210 bridge is named the Isreal LaFleur Bridge in his honor, as is the beach located at the southern side of the bridge.

Ethel was graduated from LaGrange High School and soon after met the love of her life, Willard “Bud” Boley, who was in the military and stationed at Chennault Air Force Base. They married and, after Bud was discharged from the service, the couple moved to his hometown of East Liverpool, Ohio, where they settled and raised their three children, James, Daniel, and Victoria.

Ethel was a successful homemaker and a great cook. She took great pride in her home. She was an avid gardener, growing beautiful flowers and delicious fresh vegetables. She also worked outside the home at various times as a receptionist and as a delicatessen cook. A devout Catholic, she was actively involved for many years in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, which was her home parish in East Liverpool. Following the example of her mother, she prayed the rosary daily.

Ethel loved to stay busy. She often said, “You can sleep when you’re dead.” She and her husband frequently played golf together. After he retired, they enjoyed taking cruises with friends.

In her later years, Ethel’s vision declined because of macular degeneration. Even as it left her legally blind, she refused to slow down and remained remarkably active.

In recent years, Ethel recognized that she could no longer live alone and moved back to Louisiana to be with her extended family. After returning to Lake Charles, she took up residence at Villa Maria. Possessing a gregarious personality like her father, Ethel quickly made numerous friends of faith and prayer and thrived on the spiritual life of that community. She also often eagerly awaited meeting her friends for bible study, sit and fit class and arts and crafts.

Ethel was predeceased by her husband, her parents, her brother Roy, her brother Emile, her sister Beulah, her sister Nola, her sister Bernice; her granddaughter, Jamie and her godchild, Marcie LaFleur. She is survived by her sister, Essie Culotta of Baton Rouge, her children, her grandchildren (Isreal, Laura, Nathan, Sarah, Katie, Danielle, Kristen, and Frances Joyce), and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other members of her extended family.

The family is grateful to Ethel’s many friends at Villa Maria, including Father John and Father Don. In particular, they are grateful to Ida Mae Jones, who stayed at Ethel’s bedside and prayed with her for hours as she was getting ready for her final journey home. The family is also indebted to Monsignor Daniel Torres for his ministry; to Dr. Ben Williams for his excellence in care and kindness and to Cynthia, Nesha and Amy for their heartfelt loving care during the most difficult last days.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, June 24, at 1:00 PM at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church. Monsignor Jace Eskind will officiate. Visitation Saturday will be at 12:00 PM, preceding Mass, in the church. Thereafter, Ethel will be flown to East Liverpool for Interment services and will be laid to rest alongside her beloved Bud at Riverview Cemetery in East Liverpool, Ohio.

Honorary pallbearers for Ethel’s services will be Aidan Welsh, Brennan Welsh, Connor Welsh, Alex Reinauer, Landon Bell and Mark Bell.

Memorial donations may be made to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 512 Monroe Street, East Liverpool Ohio 43920 or Catholic Charities at catholiccharities.org or 1225 2nd Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601.