Mary Louise Leger

     Mary Louise Leger, 91, entered into heaven, October 13, 2022. She was born on October 1, 1931 to Alex and Adeline Fontenot. A native of Kinder, Mary Louise had lived in Lake Charles since 1940. She was a 1948 graduate of LaGrange High School, and that year, reigned as Queen of LaGrange.  She was a former secretary employee of Gulf States Utilities which later became Entergy.  In 1951 she married the love of her life, Ogden Leger, with whom she had three children.  Together, for vacations, they traveled with their children to most of the 50 states, enjoying firsthand the amazing landscapes and historical sites.  Mary Louise was very active in her children’s schools and activities. She enjoyed being a Girl Scout leader for her daughter and was happiest when she was involved in helping her family and friends.  Working beside her husband, she helped wherever needed on the PTA and field trips for F. K. White School. Being a great supporter of her sons’ and husband’s interest, she was a cub scout den mother and followed the scouts to Camp Edgewood several times. She served as president of the Ladies’ Southside Little League Baseball Auxiliary. She was instrumental in helping her husband register boys to play for South Lake Charles Little League Baseball. Mrs. Leger was a dedicated baseball mom. You could see her sitting in the stands (or behind the concession stand) at every game, faithfully supporting her two sons and her husband, who coached.  She was always her sons’ biggest fan as they took part in Little League, Babe Ruth, American Legion and even college baseball at McNeese.  Ogden passed away too suddenly in 1971, and one of her proudest moments was when the city council named the baseball field in University Park the “Ogden Leger Field” in honor of her husband’s memory.  He left behind twenty years of cherished memories, so we are comforted by knowing that in heaven, she will be with her best friend and partner again.  

      She watched graciously as her children grew and loved volunteering as chaperone on several out-of-town band, baseball and football events for LaGrange High, where her sons were involved and her daughter was a Gatorette majorette.

       She was the grandest of grandmothers to her grandchildren and great grands. One of her favorite holidays was Christmas and she would always make it lively for all with games galore to celebrate the holy occasion. Her joy for life will always be cherished.

     Mary Louise was retired from the Calcasieu Parish School Board Transportation System after 40 years of service. Throughout her life, she continued her services as a volunteer for the American Heart Association, Cancer Association, and the Leukemia Association drives. She was a 25-year active member of the Southside Family and Community Education Club and served as president and secretary. She was a founding parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church. With her start at St. Margaret Catholic Church plus many more in Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Daughters Court 1785, her service totaled 73 years.  She humbly served on many different committees. Among those were the telephone committee and the chairman of the Benevolence Committee, Chairman of the Honor Guards, and she also visited CDA daughter shut-ins.  She was elected daughter of the month numerous times and received the daughter of the year award in 2000.

     She had been an active member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Altar Society since 1966, and sung in the OLQH Resurrection Choir.  She had been an extraordinary Eucharistic minister of communion for homebound parishioners and in her early years she worked with the St. Vincent De Paul ministry.  She participated in water aerobics for years with Rachelle and her Ladybugs at OLQH Family Life Center, and was a member of the Chapeaux’s Rouge Du La Society Red Hat ladies. She, also, looked forward to playing Pokeno with her friends once a month. During her last years, she made bead rosaries and would pass them out to doctors, nurses, Villa Maria residents, adoration adorers, relatives, friends, and whomever she came across, passing faith along anyway she could.

     She leaves to cherish her memory one daughter, Brenda Guillory and husband Lee of Lake Charles and two sons, Kirk Leger of Lake Charles, and Don Leger of Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Four granddaughters, Amanda Guillory Cormier and husband, Mike; Kara Leger Weeks and husband, Jonathan; Kristen Leger Woodley and husband, James; and Jillian Leger; Three grandsons, Todd Guillory and wife, Lauren; Cory Leger and wife, Jennifer; and Clay Leger; eleven great grandchildren, Keelan McCall, Ariana Cormier, Seth Cormier, Meredith McCall, Grace Guillory, Lily Leger, Beau Guillory, Judson Weeks, Rhett Leger, Jamison Weeks, and Mary Katharine Cormier.

     She was met at the gates of Heaven by her husband Ogden Leger, mother and father, Adeline and Alex Fontenot Sr. and her brother Alex (Buddy) Fontenot Jr.

     Visitation will be held at Johnson Funeral Home on Sunday, October 16, 2022 from 4 pm until 8 pm with a rosary and scripture service at 6 pm. Visitation will resume Monday from 9 am until 10:45 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 17, 2022 at 11 am at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. Very Reverend Matthew Cormier will officiate with Monsignor Daniel Torres concelebrating.  Interment will follow in Consolata Cemetery.

     The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for all the kindness and compassion to the doctors, nurses, and staff of Christus St. Patrick’s Hospital and Christus Hospice. Also, to the host of relatives and friends for all the kind and generous expressions of love given. Whatever part you played, it was not unnoticed.  All of your prayers have been our strength and comfort during this time. May God forever bless and keep each one of you in his care.