Patricia A. Dufrene

Patricia A. Kelley Dufrene, 73, of Lake Charles, LA, died at 3:50 AM on Sunday, December 22, 2013 in a local hospital. Mrs. Dufrene was born April 29, 1940 in Oakdale, LA, where she lived until moving to Lake Charles in 1954. She also lived eighteen years in Moss Bluff before settling back in Lake Charles in 1989. She was a 1958 graduate of LaGrange Senior High School and worked at Bill Fontenot Insurance, Cagle Chevrolet and at various other companies throughout the years. Mrs. Dufrene also worked as a substitute teacher in Moss Bluff for a number of years. She attended Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. She was a past member of the Lake Area Bird Club and enjoyed raising parrots with her husband. Mrs. Dufrene enjoyed camping, fishing, and traveling during her younger years. She also enjoyed country dancing with her husband and bowling, and participated in a women's bowling league. Her true passion in life was for her family; her children and her grandchildren will always hold a special place in her heart. Mrs. Dufrene is survived by her husband of fifty-five years, Carroll J. Dufrene, Jr.; son, Michael Dufrene and wife Christie of Lake Charles; daughter, Kristi Abshire and husband Jason of Lafayette, LA; brother, James Kelley and wife Susan of Lake Charles; grandchildren, Garrett Dufrene, Kaelyn Abshire and Matthew Dufrene; and her favorite dog, Bootsie. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hubert and Edith Johnson Kelley; granddaughter, Hope Dufrene; and parents-in-law, Carroll and Lucille Dufrene. Her funeral service will be at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, December 24, 2013 in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Reverends Don Johnson and Trevor Kelley will officiate. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Monday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM and continue on Tuesday from 8:00 AM until the start of the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Jude's Children's Hospital or the Ethel Precht Hope Breast Cancer Foundation.