Mary Pitre

Mary Magdalene Sylvester Pitre

April 25, 1943 - February 5, 2014

OPELOUSAS - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon on Saturday, February 8, 2014, at St. Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas for Mary Sylvester Pitre, with Father James Brady officiating. The Rite of Committal will follow in the Bellevue Memorial Park Cemetery.

Mrs. Pitre, 70, a native of Opelousas and a resident of Prompt Succor Nursing Home upon her death, passed away suddenly, Wednesday, February 5, 2014, at Opelousas General Healthcare Systems, surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Pitre was known for her kind, selfless ways, her love and devotion to family, the Catholic faith, and her animals, especially dogs.

Born Mary Magdalene Sylvester to Wilfred and Olivia LaFleur Sylvester, she was the youngest of 8 children. She is survived by 1 brother, her caregiver, Berchman Sylvester and wife, Rebecca DeVillier Sylvester of Opelousas; 4 sisters, Delores Sylvester Cormier of Sedona, AZ, Barbara Sylvester Ziegler of Nacogdoches, TX, Germaine Sylvester Kvinta of League City, TX, and Monica Sylvester Cooper of Huntsville, TX; numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews; a long time, devoted friend, Susan Castille of Opelousas, and her beloved dog, Spenser.

Mrs. Pitre was a graduate of The Academy of the Immaculate Conception. She was employed by American Bank and Trust Co. for many years, assisted in the cafeteria at The Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau, and was a compassionate and cherished employee of Prompt Succor Nursing Home, before occupying residency there.

She was a was a long time volunteer for The Senior Companion Program, loved caring for her pets, enjoyed collecting dolls, and was an adoring aunt, " Me me" , to her many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Pitre was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Sidney Pitre, her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Wilfred Sylvester, a brother, Reverend Wilfred Sylvester, a sister, Rose Sylvester Robert, a nephew, Christopher Cooper, a niece, Angelique Cooper Cernosek, and a special uncle, Father Joseph LaFleur.

Vocalist will be great niece, English Sylvester Miller of San Antonio, TX. Organist will be cousin, Andrea Perry Pitre of Opelousas. Pall bearers will be nephews, Mark Cooper of Freeport, TX, Paul Kvinta of Washington, D.C., Michael Sylvester of Opelousas, and great nephews, Adam Sylvester of Austin, TX, and Cody Stephen and Blaise Aaron Sibley of Opelousas.

Visitation will be observed at Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas beginning Friday, February 7, 2014, from 4:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. with a rosary service at 7:00 P.M. and will reopen on Saturday, February 8, 2014, at 8:00 A.M. until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Landry Catholic Church, 1020 North Main Street, Opelousas, LA 70570.

Family and friends are invited to view and sign the online guestbook at www.lafondardoin.com.

Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas (2845 S. Union St. Opelousas, LA 70570, 337-942-2638) has been entrusted with the arrangements.