TERREBONNE and LAFOURCHE Parishes, La. OBITUARIY for AUCOIN, RITA TIDWELL Submitted by: Louis Lavedan Published in Houma Today & The Daily Comet from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, 2013 ============================================================================= Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/copyright.shtml ============================================================================= AUCOIN, RITA TIDWELL ========== A photo is available for this file. Please go to http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafourche/obits/dateobits/2013/f1310.htm and click on the name of interest. ========== Rita Tidwell Aucoin passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013. Visitation will be from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday and from 9 a.m. until funeral time Monday at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. A memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the church. She was the loving and devoted wife of Paul Gerard Aucoin and the cherished mother of Shelley Elizabeth Aucoin and Leah Elizabeth Aucoin. Rita has one surviving brother, Owen Lonnie Tidwell Jr. (Esther); and she is also survived by many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Owen Lonnie Tidwell Sr. and Alvina Pharo Tidwell Vines, and half-brother Dr. Owen Kline Tidwell (Barbara). She was born and raised in Birmingham, Ala., where she attended John Carroll Catholic High School and then Jacksonville State University. She resided in Thibodaux with her family. Rita loved to travel the world and was a flight attendant for Delta Airlines, during which time she made many lifelong friends. She was also a member of the Orléans Club in New Orleans and the Thibodaux Music Club. Rita was passionate about art, music, gardening, and rescuing animals. She picked up many stray dogs, giving them a wonderful home, and found homes for many others. She also spent many summers in Cape Cod, Mass., studying art under Henry Hensche. She instilled her love of music and art to both of her daughters. Rita was also very compassionate towards the sick and elderly and devoted much of her time caring for them. She will be forever missed by her dogs, daughters, and husband of 38 years. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Hope for Animals. Thibodaux Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. ======================