Bertha Parreno Ribas

RIBAS, BERTHA PARRENO Bertha Parreno Ribas passed away on Thursday, March 29, 2007, at Whealdon Estates in Baton Rouge. She was born on Sept. 22, 1922, in Santiago de Cuba. She and her family moved to Baton Rouge in 1961, due to the revolution in Cuba. Mrs. Ribas was a devoted wife and mother to her children and grandchildren. For 10 years Mrs. Ribas was a teacher at St. George School. The Ribas family were residents of south Baton Rouge for more than 45 years. She will be truly missed by family and friends. Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., on Sunday, April 1, was from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visiting resumes at the funeral home on Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church on Monday at 10:30 a.m., with the Rev. Vic Messina, celebrant. Interment in Greenoaks Memorial Park. She is survived by her daughters, Cora and LuLu Ribas, both of Baton Rouge; son, Cayetano Ribas IV and wife Nancy Cole Ribas, Baton Rouge; brother, José Parreno; grandchildren, Jason Soules and wife Mecklin of Winnsboro, and Justin Soules, William Borne and Gabriela Ribas, all of Baton Rouge; great-granddaughter, Berta McCaye Soules of Winnsboro; numerous nieces and nephews; granddogs, Harley and Bentley Ribas; and sister-in-law, Matilda Buch of Columbus, Ohio. Preceded in death by her husband, Cayetano Ribas III; daughter, Bertha Ribas Soules; sisters, Maria Parreno and Josefina Parreno; and sister-in-law, Cora Luisa Ribas. Pallbearers will be Jason Soules, Justin Soules, William Borne, John Gavin, Ben Canezaro and Nemesio Viso. She was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Church. The family wishes to thank the employees of Whealdon Estates, Trinity Healthcare and St. Joseph Hospice for their care and compassion. We would also like to especially thank Ms. Stacey Otkins, Cassandra Joseph and Sabrina Johnson for their kindness and being with the family during Mrs. Ribas' last weeks. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph Hospice.