Madlyn Ann Babin Moreau was born on October 9, 1937 in Port Arthur, Texas. She was the first born and only daughter of Simon Joseph Babin and Lena Smith Babin. She was the favorite and only sister to SJ Babin. At age 13, she became her baby brother’s Godmother and later, SJ would become her first born’s Godfather, affectionately known as Parain.
When SJ entered first grade, Madlyn had already graduated from high school. His earliest memories of her were that:
1. she was his babysitter when their parents were away at the grocery store;
2. She provided a buffer between SJ and the stern discipline of their father.
3. And because she was employed at a variety of retail stores like Kress, Sears and Bluesteins, he was always guaranteed to get the coolest toys and nicest clothes at Christmas or for his birthday.
When Madlyn entered nursing school at Hotel Dieu in Beaumont, SJ was saddened and feared he would never see her again. But after one year of all that anatomy and dissecting work, Madlyn came home announcing that she couldn’t stand the sight of blood!!! Lucky for SJ…back to being spoiled again!
Upon completion of her education at Port Arthur College, Madlyn took a secretarial position at a school. Once SJ learned that his sister’s supervisor was the mother of then rock star, Janis Joplin, Madlyn became SJ’s new best friend. Although a meeting with Janis never took place, he always envisioned that Madlyn would some how make that happen.
When Wilbert Moreau appeared on the scene, the Babin household changed. The tall lanky man from Leonville, Louisiana who liked to dance and always had a smile on his face, swept Madlyn off of her feet. It is reported that Madlyn actually took dance lessons to keep up with him. SJ reports that of the 3 or 4 men in Madlyn’s life, Wilbert by far was the best catch…could it be that is because he was the only one who liked SJ?
They married on July 20, 1963, a marriage that lasted over 40 years until Wilbert’s death in July 2003. Madlyn was a loving and kind wife to Wilbert. Shortly after their first son, Floyd, was born, they moved to Houston to follow Wilbert’s work. Once the children came along, Madlyn took on the most important job of her career that of mother.
Madlyn was the proud mother of Floyd, Glenn and Linda Moreau Hansen. As any mother does, she witnessed all the joy and pains of her children growing up. Injuries from sports accidents, broken hearts from lost loves, the suffering of her baby girl as she experienced rheumatoid arthritis and a life cut too short because of addiction when Glenn died in March 2008.
When Wilbert became ill with his many stomach ailments and the diet had to change from spicy gumbo and fried foods to something bland, Madlyn would try every recipe imaginable to make a tasty meal for her family but more importantly for the love of her life, Wilbert.
Unfortunately, there was no amount of seasoning (and that awful Morton’s Salt Substitute) that could doctor up some of her recipes… but that never stopped Wilbert from eating or complimenting his “Bebe” on a delicious meal.
Madlyn welcomed David Hansen and Terri Esquibel into her heart and home as son and daughter. She loved them because they loved her children.
The icing on the cake, however, was the grandchildren…six in number---Zachary, Travis, Ashley, Dylan, Briana and Ryan. Nana Reau as she was called always had time to tease and play and laugh with the grandchildren.
Floyd and Linda will remember their mom as a very kind, giving and compassionate mother and grandmother. She always had kind words to say about people and was very gracious and caring about others and especially her children and grandchildren. She loved her grandchildren very much and would never forget to ask about them every time they talked.
They would say that their mother had quite the task of raising two boys only fourteen months apart and a baby girl only four years younger, but she embraced the opportunity and passed along all of her wonderful traits. The morals and values they have today were handed down through both of their parents. But more than ever, their mother taught them compassion, kindness and how to care not only for family but more importantly with other people and strangers.
Their mom guided them through their school years and into adulthood. She was there when they arose in the morning for school and would be there waiting for their return.
Floyd fondly remembers one school morning when he was struggling to wake up. That is the day his mother introduced him to that Cajun concoction—Coffee Milk. Figuring he was old enough to handle it, she handed the lukewarm, slightly brown cup of liquid to him and he readily guzzled it as if it were an ice cold glass of milk.
Boy was he in for a surprise! When Floyd got to school, he was full of energy and going strong, but his stomach started sending him grumbling messages and for some unknown reason he had to make several trips to the boy’s restroom. That’s when he first learned that coffee was nature’s way of cleaning one out one’s digestive system. Coffee now is a part of Floyd’s daily morning routine but he prefers it the way his mom first gave it to him, with real sugar and cream!
After all three of her children left home, she pursued and received an Associates degree in Horticulture from Houston Community College. She loved plants, flowers and her garden. Her thumb was very very green. At her cozy home, she could always be found in her yard, one with nature and her plants.
It was not uncommon for Linda to drive by her mother’s house and see her in the yard, watering plants, cutting branches…they would wave to each other and Madlyn would continue on. Houston’s hot weather did not deter her from the outdoors. Many times when Linda would phone to check on her mom to see if she was out in the heat….Madlyn would say “no” but Linda knew better.
On the evening before she died, Madlyn’s home was filled with the fragrance of two vases of fresh cuttings from her yard.
For the many years that I knew her, it seemed as though she was constantly on a diet and kept TOPS in business. She was an avid sports fan and loved to watch all kinds of sports on TV—baseball, football, basketball…you name it! It was fun to watch her get excited about a homerun or touchdown.
She loved to stay up late but also to sleep late…never call the house before 10 am or you would get a sleepy Madlyn on the other end of the line.
As my sister in law, I reflect upon her with admiration. SJ tells me that I really didn’t know Madlyn, the Madlyn he knew growing up….full of energy, spit and fire. A terrible phobia plagued her in her mid to late 30’s and drained some of that spark but she had enough of it to keep running her home and being there for her husband, children and mother.
I admired Madlyn for never giving up on Glenn, practicing tough love, for caring for her mother as she went through her failing health, many bladder infections and hallucinations from medication.
I admired her for the courage it took to pack up and leave 4324 Ione Street in Bellaire and purchase a home on her own after Wilbert died in 2003.
I admired her for her faithfulness to the Catholic Church, her love of God and the belief that there is a communion of saints and the knowledge she had that one day Lena, Simon, Wilbert and Glenn would all welcome her into God’s home.
Today, we celebrate the life of a woman who lived humbly, never put on airs, one who was both empathetic and sympathetic to the needs of others.
We celebrate a woman, who was once a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, godmother and grandmother….a woman who taught her children compassion and care and that legacy continues with their children.
Let us remember the last big party we celebrated together…Patrick and Julie’s wedding in New Orleans this past November. Madlyn was up dancing with her kids and grandkids.
There was this beautiful smile on her face…the one that a mother has when she is completely at peace with her life and in the company of her children and grandchildren. She danced that day like I have never seen her dance before…I am sure Wilbert was nudging her on to dance one for him.
Today is the day the Lord has made and we rejoice in it and in Madlyn’s life. She was both a gift and blessing and now may she continue her journey in the love and presence of the Lord.
===============================
Madlyn A. Moreau, 73, passed away Sunday, July 31, 2011 in Houston, Texas. Madlyn was a long time resident of Bellaire, Texas. She is survived by her son - Floyd Moreau and wife Theresa; daughter - Linda Hansen and husband David; grandchildren - Zachary Fucik; Travis, Ashley and Ryan Hansen; Dylan and Briana Moreau. She is preceded by her husband - H. Wilbert Moreau and son - Glenn T. Moreau.
A visitation will be held Wednesday, August 3, 2011 from 5 - 7 p.m. followed by a rosary at Beresford Funeral Service. Mass will be held Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church (10577 Huffmeister, Houston, TX 77065).
Beresford Funeral Service
Beresford Funeral Service
Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church
Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery
Madlyn Ann Babin Moreau was born on October 9, 1937 in Port Arthur, Texas. She was the first born and only daughter of Simon Joseph Babin and Lena Smith Babin. She was the favorite and only sister to SJ Babin. At age 13, she became her baby brother’s Godmother and later, SJ would become her first born’s Godfather, affectionately known as Parain.
When SJ entered first grade, Madlyn had already graduated from high school. His earliest memories of her were that:
1. she was his babysitter when their parents were away at the grocery store;
2. She provided a buffer between SJ and the stern discipline of their father.
3. And because she was employed at a variety of retail stores like Kress, Sears and Bluesteins, he was always guaranteed to get the coolest toys and nicest clothes at Christmas or for his birthday.
When Madlyn entered nursing school at Hotel Dieu in Beaumont, SJ was saddened and feared he would never see her again. But after one year of all that anatomy and dissecting work, Madlyn came home announcing that she couldn’t stand the sight of blood!!! Lucky for SJ…back to being spoiled again!
Upon completion of her education at Port Arthur College, Madlyn took a secretarial position at a school. Once SJ learned that his sister’s supervisor was the mother of then rock star, Janis Joplin, Madlyn became SJ’s new best friend. Although a meeting with Janis never took place, he always envisioned that Madlyn would some how make that happen.
When Wilbert Moreau appeared on the scene, the Babin household changed. The tall lanky man from Leonville, Louisiana who liked to dance and always had a smile on his face, swept Madlyn off of her feet. It is reported that Madlyn actually took dance lessons to keep up with him. SJ reports that of the 3 or 4 men in Madlyn’s life, Wilbert by far was the best catch…could it be that is because he was the only one who liked SJ?
They married on July 20, 1963, a marriage that lasted over 40 years until Wilbert’s death in July 2003. Madlyn was a loving and kind wife to Wilbert. Shortly after their first son, Floyd, was born, they moved to Houston to follow Wilbert’s work. Once the children came along, Madlyn took on the most important job of her career that of mother.
Madlyn was the proud mother of Floyd, Glenn and Linda Moreau Hansen. As any mother does, she witnessed all the joy and pains of her children growing up. Injuries from sports accidents, broken hearts from lost loves, the suffering of her baby girl as she experienced rheumatoid arthritis and a life cut too short because of addiction when Glenn died in March 2008.
When Wilbert became ill with his many stomach ailments and the diet had to change from spicy gumbo and fried foods to something bland, Madlyn would try every recipe imaginable to make a tasty meal for her family but more importantly for the love of her life, Wilbert.
Unfortunately, there was no amount of seasoning (and that awful Morton’s Salt Substitute) that could doctor up some of her recipes… but that never stopped Wilbert from eating or complimenting his “Bebe” on a delicious meal.
Madlyn welcomed David Hansen and Terri Esquibel into her heart and home as son and daughter. She loved them because they loved her children.
The icing on the cake, however, was the grandchildren…six in number---Zachary, Travis, Ashley, Dylan, Briana and Ryan. Nana Reau as she was called always had time to tease and play and laugh with the grandchildren.
Floyd and Linda will remember their mom as a very kind, giving and compassionate mother and grandmother. She always had kind words to say about people and was very gracious and caring about others and especially her children and grandchildren. She loved her grandchildren very much and would never forget to ask about them every time they talked.
They would say that their mother had quite the task of raising two boys only fourteen months apart and a baby girl only four years younger, but she embraced the opportunity and passed along all of her wonderful traits. The morals and values they have today were handed down through both of their parents. But more than ever, their mother taught them compassion, kindness and how to care not only for family but more importantly with other people and strangers.
Their mom guided them through their school years and into adulthood. She was there when they arose in the morning for school and would be there waiting for their return.
Floyd fondly remembers one school morning when he was struggling to wake up. That is the day his mother introduced him to that Cajun concoction—Coffee Milk. Figuring he was old enough to handle it, she handed the lukewarm, slightly brown cup of liquid to him and he readily guzzled it as if it were an ice cold glass of milk.
Boy was he in for a surprise! When Floyd got to school, he was full of energy and going strong, but his stomach started sending him grumbling messages and for some unknown reason he had to make several trips to the boy’s restroom. That’s when he first learned that coffee was nature’s way of cleaning one out one’s digestive system. Coffee now is a part of Floyd’s daily morning routine but he prefers it the way his mom first gave it to him, with real sugar and cream!
After all three of her children left home, she pursued and received an Associates degree in Horticulture from Houston Community College. She loved plants, flowers and her garden. Her thumb was very very green. At her cozy home, she could always be found in her yard, one with nature and her plants.
It was not uncommon for Linda to drive by her mother’s house and see her in the yard, watering plants, cutting branches…they would wave to each other and Madlyn would continue on. Houston’s hot weather did not deter her from the outdoors. Many times when Linda would phone to check on her mom to see if she was out in the heat….Madlyn would say “no” but Linda knew better.
On the evening before she died, Madlyn’s home was filled with the fragrance of two vases of fresh cuttings from her yard.
For the many years that I knew her, it seemed as though she was constantly on a diet and kept TOPS in business. She was an avid sports fan and loved to watch all kinds of sports on TV—baseball, football, basketball…you name it! It was fun to watch her get excited about a homerun or touchdown.
She loved to stay up late but also to sleep late…never call the house before 10 am or you would get a sleepy Madlyn on the other end of the line.
As my sister in law, I reflect upon her with admiration. SJ tells me that I really didn’t know Madlyn, the Madlyn he knew growing up….full of energy, spit and fire. A terrible phobia plagued her in her mid to late 30’s and drained some of that spark but she had enough of it to keep running her home and being there for her husband, children and mother.
I admired Madlyn for never giving up on Glenn, practicing tough love, for caring for her mother as she went through her failing health, many bladder infections and hallucinations from medication.
I admired her for the courage it took to pack up and leave 4324 Ione Street in Bellaire and purchase a home on her own after Wilbert died in 2003.
I admired her for her faithfulness to the Catholic Church, her love of God and the belief that there is a communion of saints and the knowledge she had that one day Lena, Simon, Wilbert and Glenn would all welcome her into God’s home.
Today, we celebrate the life of a woman who lived humbly, never put on airs, one who was both empathetic and sympathetic to the needs of others.
We celebrate a woman, who was once a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, godmother and grandmother….a woman who taught her children compassion and care and that legacy continues with their children.
Let us remember the last big party we celebrated together…Patrick and Julie’s wedding in New Orleans this past November. Madlyn was up dancing with her kids and grandkids.
There was this beautiful smile on her face…the one that a mother has when she is completely at peace with her life and in the company of her children and grandchildren. She danced that day like I have never seen her dance before…I am sure Wilbert was nudging her on to dance one for him.
Today is the day the Lord has made and we rejoice in it and in Madlyn’s life. She was both a gift and blessing and now may she continue her journey in the love and presence of the Lord.
===============================
Madlyn A. Moreau, 73, passed away Sunday, July 31, 2011 in Houston, Texas. Madlyn was a long time resident of Bellaire, Texas. She is survived by her son - Floyd Moreau and wife Theresa; daughter - Linda Hansen and husband David; grandchildren - Zachary Fucik; Travis, Ashley and Ryan Hansen; Dylan and Briana Moreau. She is preceded by her husband - H. Wilbert Moreau and son - Glenn T. Moreau.
A visitation will be held Wednesday, August 3, 2011 from 5 - 7 p.m. followed by a rosary at Beresford Funeral Service. Mass will be held Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church (10577 Huffmeister, Houston, TX 77065).
To my beloved mother-in-law, you will be missed and never forgotten. You grew to be like a mother to me and your love will forever be within me. God Bless you!!!
Madlyn, you were such a delightful person! You were always happy and smiling. I will cherish all the times we spent together at family gatherings. With much love!
On behalf of my entire family, I want to thank you and your staff for your excellent and caring service.
Thank you for all you did to make our mother's funeral special, dignified, and easy for us.
I just can't express to you enough how much we appreciated the kindness and professionalism my family experienced with you and your staff.
Thank you for treating my beloved mother with honor and respect all throughout the process.
Our family will be forever grateful to the owner and staff at Beresford Funeral Services for the excellent services they provided to our family upon the death of our loved one. Everything went smoothly. The planning was easy with everything needed for the funeral provided on sight at reasonable prices with no pressure to spend more than planned. They were flexible with our personal plans, very kind, and considerate from beginning to end. We would definitely recommend Beresford Funeral Services to anyone in need of funeral services.
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