Maria Esther Gallardo

Maria Esther Gallardo, 79, of Lake Charles passed away Wednesday, January 08, 2014 in a Houston hospital. Miss Gallardo was a native of DeRidder, LA and a graduate of DeRidder High School. She has lived sixty years in Lake Charles. She retired from the Engineering Department with AT&T following many years of service. She was a devoted Christian, very active in St. Margaret Catholic Church where she was a Lay Minister of Communion, a Catholic Daughter, a member of Carmelites 3rd Order, Bishops Luncheon Committee, Alter Society and Rosary Team. She also traveled to the Lourdes Fatima. She also made time to volunteer at Christus St. Patrick's Hospital. Miss Gallardo was an avid reader. She leaves to cherish her memory, one brother, Joseph J. Gallardo of Barrington, NJ; two sisters, Mary Hope "Bessie" Smertneck of Winter Park, FL and Mary Rita Sparkman and husband Bob of Garland, TX; dear friend, Tommie Vizena of Lake Charles; friends of St. Margaret and her beloved cat, Sassy. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jose C. and Angela Maria Sanchez Gallardo and two sisters, Mary Jesse Gallardo and Mary Juanita Kean. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 1:00 PM Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at St. Margaret Catholic Church. Father Bill Miller will officiate. Interment will follow in Consolota Cemetery. A rosary service will begin at 10:00 AM Wednesday followed by visitation until 12:30 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Margaret Catholic Church, 2500 Enterprise Blvd., Lake Charles, LA 70601.