Louise D. Menard

1925 - 2023

Louise Dolores Menard (n‚e Staniec) passed away on February 13, 2023 in Walnut Creek, California at the age of 97. Louise was born on October 8, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois where she graduated from Steinmetz High School and earned her Bachelor's degree from Northwestern University.In 1950, Louise married Leonard Menard and the couple moved to Colorado where Leonard earned his Master's degree in social welfare in 1954 and the couple welcomed three of their five children. In 1956, they moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where they welcomed two more children, and in 1967 to Sacramento. After Leonard passed away in 2000, Louise moved to the community of Rossmoor in Walnut Creek to be closer to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Louise was devoted to her family, her Catholic faith, and her community. She took great joy in classical music, spending many hours singing along to opera and playing Chopin on the piano. She loved nature, especially the mountains and enjoyed puttering in her garden. Louise maintained a life-long interest in the native peoples of the Southwest, issues of social justice, and progressive causes. She was a fervent supporter of St. Bonaventure Indian Mission & School in Thoreau, New Mexico and a tireless volunteer at Sharing God's Bounty, a soup kitchen sponsored by St. Philomene Catholic Church in Sacramento. She had a life well-lived and was well loved by her family and many friends who will never forget her generosity of spirit, love of life, and deep faith.Louise is survived by five children: John-Paul (Debbie) of Danville, Peter (Theresa) of Los Angeles, Maria, Anne (Bruce) of Danville, and Claire (Jeff) of San Ramon. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Adrienne, Thomas (Julia), James, Danielle (Nicholas), Matthew (Tracy), and Madeleine, as well as five great-grandchildren: Joseph and Charles (Adrienne), Sophia and Ava (Thomas), and Isabelle (Danielle), who were the lights of her life. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anne's Church, 1600 Rossmoor Parkway, Walnut Creek, CA. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Citrus Heights, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Louise's memory to the charity of your choice.