Suzette Blanc

Suzette Chachere Blanc, born February 2, 1942, in Mobile, AL, eighth child of Lancelot Chachere and Irene Faustina Chachere (predeceased), died in Pensacola, FL, on January 15, 2022.

She attended Catholic elementary school in Mobile and high school at Central (Mobile), Holy Rosary (Lafayette, LA), and graduated from St. Mary's Academy (New Orleans, LA) in 1959. Her summer months as a youth were spent on Faustina’s Beach, owned and operated by her family. She received a BS in Business Education from LSU-NO in 1964, and she earned her Masters of Religious Education from the University of St. Thomas (Houston, TX) in 1985.

She began her teaching career at St. Joseph Elementary School in Winslow, AZ, at her uncle Fr. John Faustina's parish.  On June 5, 1965, she married Edward Blanc and moved to Evanston, IL, where she worked as a secretary at Northwestern University.  After the birth of their first son, they moved to Houston, TX, in 1967.  Two more sons were born there.

She taught religion at Mt. Carmel High School then at St. Thomas More Elementary School, while also volunteering her time to conduct marriage preparatory classes in the Pre-Cana program for the diocese.

After moving to St. Louis, MO, in 1983, she continued to teach religion at Bishop DuBourg High School, Rosary High School, Ursuline Academy, Cardinal Ritter College Prep, and Central Catholic Elementary School.  Following her teaching career, she founded the Pre-Cana counseling program at the Lawanga Center in St. Louis.  She also worked as both the Director of Religious Education (DRE) and the administrative assistant at St. Alphonsus "Rock" Church in St. Louis.

In 1996, she and Edward retired to Navarre, FL, where she volunteered as the DRE at St. Joseph Church in Pensacola for several years.  She spent her last years volunteering at area hospitals, quilting, reading mystery novels, enjoying visits with her grandchildren, and watching sunsets on East Bay.

Her predeceased siblings include Marvin, Ursula, Marcella, John, Paula, and Anne Marie.  She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Edward; her sons Jeffery, Douglas, and Christopher; brothers Ernest and George and sister Bernadette; grandchildren, Nina and Trevor; and a host of nephews and nieces. Known to her family as "Maw Maw," Suzette was a generous mentor, an independent thinker, and a fierce fighter for what she believed.

Her family expresses their thanks to Covenant Hospice.

Suzette’s remains will be interred at Rose Lawn Cemetery in Gulf Breeze, Fl.  Memorial service date and time to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Bonaventure Indian School, 25 Navarre Blvd W, Thoreau, NM 87323, www.stbonaventuremission.org.