Shirley "Tiny" Riche
(February 21, 1938 -
January 25, 2014
)
A
mass of Christian Burial is scheduled at 1:00 p.m. Saturday February 1, 2014 at
Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Cottonport for Shirley Ann Riche’, 75, who
passed away on January 25, 2014 after a long and valiant battle with cancer.
Reverend José Robles-Sanchez, pastor of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church will
officiate the service. Interment will be at Saint Mary’s Mausoleum in
Cottonport. Visitation begins Saturday, at
9:00 a.m.
at Escude Funeral Home of Cottonport with a
recitation of the Rosary at
11:00 a.m.
Shirley (‘Tiny’ to family and friends) was born in Evergreen,
Louisiana
to Grace St. Romain and Herman Riche on
February 21, 1938
. She grew up on
Riche Lane
amongst a large family community, graduating
from
Evergreen
High School
. Shirley spent her younger adult life in
Cottonport, raising children and teaching at St. Mary’s
Catholic
School
. While in Cottonport, she was very active in the
community, served as president of the Jaycee Jaynes organization, coached
girls’ softball, and taught baton lessons. In 1972, she moved to Pineville and
joined the Rapides Parish School Board system, teaching elementary classes
during the day and attending
Louisiana
College
during the evenings earning her bachelor’s
degree in elementary education, magna com laude. While working for the Rapides
Parish School Board, she advanced her education receiving her MBA and Plus 30.
She worked her way up the ranks from elementary teacher, to assistant principle
at Alma Red Wine then to principal at Tioga Elementary. She had an entrepreneur
spirit! While teaching, she was a real estate agent, and a small business owner.
After retiring from school system, she built a successful hotel business in
Grand Isle, La.- Cajun Tide Beach Resort. Her warm, friendly, and kind
reputation spread quickly and her hotel business thrived! After eight successful
years, her health was beginning to decline so she sold her business and moved
back to Pineville so she could be closer to family. Shirley had a passion for
life, loved family and friends, and was most kind and generous. She had a
fun-loving spirit that would light up a room. She enjoyed dancing, cooking Cajun
dishes, and teaching the grandchildren how to fish. Often times she would invite
guests into her home to sit at her table for a meal or two. She was a devout
Catholic and member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Shirley is preceded in death
by parents Grace and Herman Riche, her brothers’ Joseph and Elliot Riche, and
her granddaughter Erica Terrell. Ms. Riche’ is survived by her daughters,
Lydia Cavaness of Lafayette, Cindy Cespiva and husband Brian of Pineville,
Carolyn Ducote of Shreveport, and Wendy Hazelhurst of Dallas, Texas; sister
Barbara Roberts and husband Charles, and sisters’ in law Genevieve Riche and
Sandra Riche; grandchildren Heather Gravel, Jason Terrell, Brian Cespiva,
Brandon Cespiva, Jordan Hazelhurst, and Braden Ducote; great grandchildren
Landon Terrell, Myah Gravel, Ava Gravel, Gracelynn Shockley, Bella Blanchard;
and a special friend, David Ducote.
The family wishes to extend
their gratitude to CHRISTUS Cabrini Hospice with special appreciation to
Shannon, Nancy, and Brittany. To extend online condolences to the Riche family,
please visit www.escude.com.
Pelican
footnote: Shirley was a 1956 graduate and a participant of many EHS
activities - band, athletics, May Festival, etc.
http://www.evergreenla.org/Education/Students/50s.htm
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