RAYMONDE RATHLE Obituary: Terrebonne Parish, La. Submitted by: Louis Lavedan Source: Houma Courier, Houma, Terrebonne Parish, La. 21 Feb 2005 ================================================== ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** ================================================== NOTES: 1. The date preceding the obituary is the date of posting on the WWW, not the date of death. ============================= February 15. 2005 12:43PM Raymonde Rathle [Photo] Raymonde Michel Rathle, died peacefully at 11:55 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, 2005, in Thibodaux, surrounded by her one love, best friend and husband of 46 years, Pierre, their four children, Joyce (Tampa), Yves (San Francisco), Jean (San Francisco), Frank and Angela (wife) Rathle; her three sisters, Simone Kardouche (Montreal), Mary Roufail (Winston Salem, N.C.) and Maggy Costandy (New Bern, N.C.) who were at her bedside; her eight grandchildren, Pascal, Raphael, Zavier, Shane, Natalie, Rachel, Nicolas and Jacques, as well as her daughters-in-law, Suzanne and Charisse spoke with her that afternoon and kissed their Mami, receiving a promise of visits in their dreams. A celebration of her life will take place at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux, from 8 to 10 a.m. Thursday, followed by a Mass and then a Christian burial at the church cemetery. Born in Heliopolis, Egypt, in 1930, she was preceded in death by her parents, Amin and Helene Michel and her brother of Khalil Michel. Raymonde was educated at the Academy of the Sacred Heart and later studied art and art history. Forming young minds through scouting was an integral part of her life for many years prior to her marriage, and she led and influenced hundreds of young minds with her amazing strength, passion and deep faith. She followed her husband to Boston in 1958, and then moved to Paris, where children were born and reared. In 1969, she then returned with him to America, where they built a home and a life. Thibodaux was kind to her, and she reciprocated. A talented artist, Raymonde was an accomplished painter, renowned for her Snowden paintings and calligraphy. She was a problem solver and a patient and kind teacher. She was an active member of Bayouland Arts, Terrebonne Fine Arts Guild, the Home Demonstration Club, was a Laurel Valley volunteer and participated in many arts-and-craft shows. She loved to travel and for years led tours throughout Europe, Canada, Mexico and the Gulf Coast with Fleur de Lys Tours, the company she founded with her husband 33 years ago. She created memories and collected stamps, art, books, silk scarves and always wore gloves. She was adventurous, generous, open, kind, gifted, strong- willed and made things happen. A devout Catholic, our mother had a special devotion to the Virgin Mary and attended Mass every morning at 6:30. She was our center, and we shall never forget our Amour and Maman. Raymonde loved flowers, but if desired, memorial donations may be made to Crossroads in her name. Landry's Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.