Merlene Landry Duhon

Merlene Landry Duhon of Slidell, Louisiana passed away on February 29, 2020 at the age of 84, from complications following surgery for a broken hip. 

She was born August 26, 1935 in Arabi, Louisiana.  She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, Larris Duhon, her parents Louis and Elenora Landry, and her sisters Earlene Landry, Theresa Landry Shackelford, and Leatrice Landry Ruiz.     

She is survived by her three children: daughter Marsha Duhon and her partner Debbie Blanton of Slidell, son Lamar Duhon and daughter-in-law Monica Abney Duhon of Spring, Texas, and son Chris Duhon of New Port Richey, Florida.  She is also survived by her grandchildren: Christopher Duhon of Slidell, Teena (Danielle) Duhon of Moberly, Missouri, Landry (Karen) Duhon of Spring, Texas, Emmaline Duhon of Redwood City, California, Joshua Duhon of Spring, Texas, Justin (Cameron) Kellar of St. Louis, Missouri, and Jonathan (Jordan) Kellar of Picayune, Mississippi. 

Merlene was raised in Chalmette and graduated from Andrew Jackson High School.  She worked in reservations for the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans, prior to moving overseas to Tema, Ghana in west Africa when Larris was transferred with Kaiser Aluminum.  The Duhons spent 10 wonderful years in Ghana and their three children were born there.  They settled in Slidell in 1976 where they became members of Our Lady of Lourdes parish.  Merlene then began a successful career as a Slidell realtor, which would span several decades.  When she retired from real estate she spent a few years enjoying work at Hobby Lobby.  Merlene could be found selling her craft items at local fairs in earlier years and was a member of the Our Lady of Lourdes prayer shawl ministry more recently.  She was a very talented china painter and was a member of the St. Tammany Porcelain Art Guild, Southern Porcelain Art Guild, and Louisiana Porcelain Art Club (LOPAC).  Merlene spent her final years enjoying life to the fullest as a resident of Azalea Estates.   

A funeral Mass will take place at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 400 Westchester Place, Slidell, LA on Tuesday, March 10 at 11:00 AM with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM.  She will be interred along with her husband Larris, a WWII veteran, at Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery following the funeral.