MARIA RUSSO ARCENEAUX

September 18, 1930 — April 13, 2015
Funeral services will be held Friday, April 17, 2015, at a noon Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Lafayette for Maria Russo Arceneaux, age 84, who died peacefully on April 13, 2015, at her residence surrounded by family.
Mrs. Arceneaux was born in Plaquemine on Sept. 18, 1930. She is a graduate of Sacred Heart School in Morgan City and of Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. Maria was a resident of Morgan City for most of her life and was a resident of Lafayette for the last 16 years.
In addition to being a homemaker, she worked for the Louisiana Department of Public Welfare after college and, later, in real estate. She volunteered many years of service to Catholic charitable organizations in Morgan City. She was also an avid reader, writer and bridge player. Mrs. Arceneaux was an example of courage, strength and faith to her friends and family.
Mrs. Arceneaux is survived by her children, Stephen (Rose) Arceneaux, Chris (Leslie) Arceneaux, Frank (Sarah) Arceneaux, Kirby (Susan) Arceneaux, Paul (Michelle) Arceneaux, Suzie (Steve) Roussel, Bob (Lisa) Arceneaux, Al Arceneaux and Michael Arceneaux; her siblings, Betty Blanchard, Allain (Sara) Russo and Ann Russo; her 21 grandchildren, Jason Arceneaux, John Arceneaux, Jennifer Arceneaux, Cameron Arceneaux, Emily Graham, Meredith Arceneaux, Molly Wilcox, Gabe Arceneaux, Blake Arceneaux, Ali Claudet, Matt Arceneaux, Eric Arceneaux, Grant Arceneaux, Erin Roussel, Ryan Roussel, Sam Arceneaux, Christopher Arceneaux, Sean Arceneaux, Michael Arceneaux, Luke Arceneaux and Joel Arceneaux; the stepgrandchildren who entered her life; and her 12 great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Arceneaux was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Arceneaux; and her parents, Dr. Frank and Mrs. Elizabeth Grace Russo.
Visitation will be held at Martin & Castille - SOUTHSIDE, 600 E. Farrel Road, Lafayette, Louisiana from 9 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass.
The Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Lafayette at noon.
The Rev. Howard Blessing, pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Lafayette, will be the Celebrant of the Funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Lectors will be Erin Roussel and Michelle Arceneaux. Giftbearers will be her grandchildren. The musical selections will be sung by Lisa Roy Sheppert.
Pallbearers will be her nine children.
Interment will be held at the Morgan City Cemetery, 450 Myrtle Street in Morgan City, after the Funeral Mass in Lafayette.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Maria’s name to The Miles Perret Cancer Services, 2130 Kaliste Saloom Rd., Suite 200, Lafayette, LA 70508 or milesperret.org and to Our Lady of the Lake University, 411 S.W. Street, San Antonio, TX 78207 or ollusa.org.
The family wishes to extend gratitude to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston St, Suite 200, Lafayette, LA 70503 or hospiceacadiana.com and especially, her loving caregiver, Rose Thomas.
View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com.
Martin & Castille - SOUTHSIDE, 600 E. Farrel Road Lafayette, LA 70508, 337-984-2811, is in charge of the arrangements.