TERREBONNE and LAFOURCHE Parishes, La.

OBITUARIY for Houlding, Mildred 
  
Submitted by: Louis Lavedan

Published in Houma Today & The Daily Comet from Feb. 23 to Feb. 24, 2015

Died: Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015

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Houlding, Mildred 

Mildred M. Houlding, 92, a native of Schriever and resident of Madera, 
California, passed away peacefully Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, at home with her 
loving family at her side. 

Private services will be Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Jay Chapel Funeral Home in 
Madera, California, 

with burial in Arbor Vitae Mausoleum. 

Friends are asked to join the family at the Vineyard Restaurant for a 
Celebration of Mildred's life at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. She is survived by her 
sons, Bob Houlding and wife, Sandy, Jerry Houlding and wife, Louise, of Madera, 
Calfiornia, and Mike Houlding and wife, Yvonne, of Fresno, California; 
grandchildren, Todd Houlding and wife, Stephanie, Melissa Pistoresi and 
husband, Phillip, David Houlding and friend, Martin, Craig Martin and fiancée, 
Julie, of Madera, California, Courtney Risinger and husband, Brian, Kim Lauzon 
and husband, Joe, and Scott Houlding and wife, Cara, of Fresno, California; 15 
great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and special caregiver, Reina 
Hand. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; parents, Ourestile and Ida 
Sonier; brother, R.J. "Ruffin" Sonier; and sisters, Ida Benoit, Jessie Tillman 
and Lorna Zeringue, all of Louisiana. 

Mildred was born in Schriever, July 16, 1922, to parents Ourestile and Ida 
(Boudreaux) Sonier. 
After graduation from high school, Mildred moved to New Orleans where she lived 
and worked in the textile industry. 
In 1941, through a mutual friend, Mildred was introduced to Bob Houlding. 
Shortly after the introduction, World War II broke out and Bob was shipped out 
to March Air Force Base in Riverside, California. Lillian Jackalord (known as 
Auntie) and Mildred drove Bob's car to California. 
On April 9, 1942, Bob Houlding married Mildred. Shortly after their marriage, 
Bob was shipped to the Aleutian Islands. During this time, Mildred moved to 
Madera, California and lived with Bob's dad, William V. Houlding. Mildred began 
making her life including her longtime friends. Mildred also participated as an 
Air Raid Lookout spending time in the towers looking out for incoming planes. 
After the war ended, Bob was stationed in Clovis, New Mexico, where Bob 
Houlding Jr., the eldest son, was born. Shortly after that, the family moved 
back to Madera, California, where sons, Jerry and Michael were born. Mildred 
and Bob started the family farm. Mildred worked hard in the fields helping Bob 
for many years while raising her sons. 
In 1968, Mildred's sons became involved in the family farming and helped to 
grow the farm together. Mildred and the family lived on the farm until 1977, 
when the family moved to town. 
Mildred enjoyed keeping a clean house and cooking for her family. She found 
great joy in entertaining and loved to gamble. She also enjoyed going to 
Wishon, to Don Pedro, and spending time at her coastal house. 

Mildred was proud of her Cajun French heritage and growing up in New Orleans. 
But most of all, Mildred was proud of her sons, her grandchildren, and her 
great-grandchildren. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her name may be made to St. Agnes 
Hospice, Madera County Historical or to any charity. 

Jay Chapel Funeral Home in Madera, California, is in charge of arrangements. 

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