Margaret Leonpacher Palma

Margaret Leonpacher Palma, 82, passed away peacefully at her home in Lake Charles Louisiana on Saturday, January 13, 2024 with her beloved family by her side. She was born on July 22, 1941 in New Orleans Louisiana, to Dr. Louis and Fanny Mendel Leonpacher.

Margaret, well-known to her family and friends as Omi, was a loving wife and mother as well as an active member of the Lake Charles community. She was a woman of strong Catholic faith hosting many prayer groups in her home, and enjoyed serving as a Eucharistic minister and RCIA sponsor at Our Lady Queen of Heaven. She loved playing, teaching and competing in bridge and mah-jong and was an avid puzzler. Margaret enjoyed traveling with her husband Alfred enriching their lives tremendously. She was an entrepreneur in her early years as co-owner of “Yesterdays” and “A Bon Marche.”

Those left to cherish her memory are, her beloved husband of 65 years, Alfred Palma; her children, John Palma (Cindy), Judy Fitzpatrick (Shawn), Linda Farner (Jay), James Palma (Diana); her grandchildren, Dr. Christine Palma (Dr Kyle Mauk), Michael Palma (Rachael), Kristian Farner (Dr. Jordan McColm), McKenzie Fitzpatrick, Connor Fitzpatrick (Lila), and Jason Farner; her great grandchildren, Graham and Madison Fitzpatrick, Jeremy Harvey, Jade Farner and baby Farner on the way; her brother, Dr. Robert Leonpacher; her sisters-in-law, Rosie Leonpacher and Beni Murphy; along with numerous nieces, nephews and extended family of the heart.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Louis (Lippi) Leonpacher and Fanny Leonpacher Doba; her brothers, Walter Leonpacher, Erwin Leonpacher and Alfred “Al” Leonpacher, and her beloved companion dachshund for many years, Hans.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 in Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. Monsignor James Gaddy will serve as celebrant along with Monsignor Harry Greig. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles. Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Home, 4321 Lake St. Lake Charles, LA on the evening of Tuesday, January 16, beginning at 4:00 PM and continuing until 7:00 PM with a rosary being recited at 6:00 PM. There will be no public visitation on Wednesday morning.

Pallbearers will be Shawn Fitzpatrick, Jay Farner, Jason Farner, Michael Palma, Kristian Farner, and Connor Fitzpatrick.

The family would like to give special thanks to her loving caregivers, Angie Hebert, Tabetha Nunez, Regina Nunez, Zelda Chesson, Kathleen Saltzman and her niece, Kathleen Murphy Simon and Amedisys Hospice. Memorial donations in her memory may be made to Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church or School.