Mary Patricia Cavell Bulber

Mary Patricia Cavell Bulber was born on March 15, 1930, youngest of six children to Marie Ernestine Whitmore and Anthony Frank Henry Cavell. They lived in New Orleans. As a child she learned to appreciate music by listening to her mother teach piano. She would amaze her mother by sitting at the piano, playing the same music studied by the older students. That set her on the path of her life’s work. 

Patricia Cavell graduated from Holy Angels Academy in 1947. She excelled in piano and flute completing her Bachelor and Master of Arts in Music degrees at LSU. Miss Cavell only had one job interview in her life. In 1953, she was hired by Dr. Francis G. Bulber as a member of the McNeese State University music faculty teaching both disciplines. Together, through their dedication, they and the other faculty members helped create an amazing educational experience, instructing innumerable students during her 48 years. Colleagues turned into friends then into love. The two married on May 31, 1960. They were blessed by the births of Patricia Cecile in 1963 and Gerard Sean, born eleven months later. Continuing her education, she began her Doctorate at Florida State under the tutelage of Ernst Dohnanyi, a student of Franz Liszt. After the birth of their youngest child, Colette Marie, she returned to her studies at the University of Colorado. 

During her tenure at MSU, Mrs. Bulber was instrumental in establishing the local chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, a professional women’s music fraternity. She performed as principal flute in the Lake Charles Symphony for 61 years and with the Lake Charles Messiah Chorus, eventually serving on its board of directors. After her retirement, she conducted the F. G. Bulber Youth Orchestra.

Mrs. Bulber was very devout. For her work and dedication, Bishop Speyrer recognized her as a Companion of Honor.

Mrs. Bulber is survived by her children: Gerard and wife, Jeanine; Colette and husband, Marcus; grandchildren: Ken, Mike, Jim, Janet, Evan, Aaron, Benjamin and Colin, and six great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, stepdaughter and her husband (Mary Frances & JohnValle Reed), great-grandson Sawyer, her daughter, Patrice, and her loving husband.

We would like to express our appreciation to the staff of The Gardens and Brighten Bridge Hospice for the excellent care afforded to Mrs. Bulber.

Visitation will be at Johnson’s Funeral Home in Lake Charles on December 20 from 4pm-8pm with a Rosary at 6pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Cathedral on December 21 at 10am. Interment, at Consolata Cemetery with a reception at the Our Lady Queen of Heaven FLCC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the MSU Foundation / Lake Charles Messiah.