Sylvia Olinde Weigand

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, December 7, 2015 at 12 Noon Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Catholic Church for Sylvia Olinde Weigand who passed away on Thursday, November 26, 2015. Celebrant will be Rev. Miles Walsh. Sylvia was a graduate of St. Joseph's Academy in New Roads and attended Our Lady of the Lake Nursing College and later received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Helping children with learning disabilities became a lifelong passion for her. Sylvia was a founding member of the Reading Research Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating children with dyslexia and other learning disabilities, and was the Executive Director of the foundation and school. The Foundation operated a school in Lafayette and worked with other institutions throughout the nation. Sylvia spoke and presented programs, nationally and internationally to inform educators on the latest research on educating and remediating children with dyslexia. She later established the Olinde Reading Institute to continue to encourage innovation in education for dyslexia and other learning disabilities. She also served on the State Board for the Department of Health and Human Resources. Sylvia lived in New Orleans with her husband and father of their children, William E. Logan, Jr. When he finished law school, they moved to Lafayette for his work. Later she married Dr. Walton "Bud" Weigand. After many years on the North Shore of Long Island, New York where she immersed herself in the arts, Sylvia and her husband Bud returned to her family home on False River where she could be with her family and friends. She was a parishioner at St. Mary of False River Church, a volunteer and former board member of the Pointe Coupée Historical Society, a member of the Reading Circle and the Book Club in New Roads, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the National Association of Children of Learning Disabilities. Sylvia was a beautiful, elegant lady with an enthusiasm for life. She loved traveling and made many trips to Europe, as well as to the Holy Land and the Far East. Whether home or abroad, she always enjoyed the company of family and friends. The arts were an integral part of her family life. She had a passion for music, art, and theater, especially the opera. This passion has ties from generations of her family in New Orleans, America's first city of opera, where they had a home near the old opera house which they regularly attended. She is survived by her children and their spouses Sylvia Logan Luckett and Damian, William Edward Logan, III and Charla, Brent Logan and Melissa, Michael Logan and Tammy, Glenn Logan, and Gregory Logan and Darcy; her nine grandchildren; her sister Gladys Olinde Jewell and her brother Wallace Durel Olinde, Sr. and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Sylvia is preceded in death by her parents, Roger B. Olinde, Sr. and Laure Durel Olinde, her beloved husband Dr. Walton "Bud" Weigand, a sister, Laure Olinde Berthier, and a brother, Roger B. Olinde, Jr. The family would like to thank the many friends and family who gave their continuous love and support, especially Dr. Paul Rachal, Dr. Larry Olinde, Reverend Miles Walsh, and Monsignor Robert Bergreen. The family request visitation at St. Mary Catholic Church of False River, 348 W. Main St., New Roads, from 10 A.M. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to a charity of your choice .
[]