Shirley Marie Navarre McDuff, 94, devoted mother and wife, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2023 surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren. Shirley is predeceased by her cherished husband of 70 years, Lee McDuff, and her siblings Nolan Navarre, Mary Louis Boudreaux, Nellie Mae Navarre Gauthreaux, Neddie Francis Navarre, Harry Robert Navarre, Edrye Navarre Dours, Walter Joseph Navarre, and daughter-in-law Carolyn McDuff.
Shirley, the 7th child of Robert Honoré Navarre and Eliza St. Germaine Navarre, was born February 12, 1929 in Napoleonville, Louisiana. Shirley spent most of her childhood in St Francisville, Louisiana happily surrounded by family and friends. After graduating from St. Francisville High School and attending Business school, she worked alongside her sister in a local store. It was in this store that she met the man that would change her life. After a short courtship, Shirley wed Lee McDuff in a beautiful double ceremony with her best friend and sister, Edrye, on March 25, 1951. Lee and Shirley soon began their family and were relocated to Houston when Lee accepted a transfer working for Transco Energy. Leaving the embrace of her home and family was difficult for Shirley
Throughout her long and fulfilled life, Shirley had many passions. Her love of movies, music, cooking and gardening were a joy to her family and friends. Family and her Catholic faith meant everything to Shirley. Her happiest days were spent attending Mass or in her garden surrounded by her 7 children, 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Shirley loved to spend time with each of her grandchildren sharing stories, laughter and wisdom that they will carry with them always. She was present at every concert, program, celebration and event for her grandchildren and loved sharing these moments with them. Shirley would tell you that being “Grandma” was her crowning achievement.
Many a family gathering involved Cajun cooking, coffee, laughter and lots of French bread. Her skills in the kitchen, however, were no match for her garden expertise. Her beautiful flowers were admired by many a neighbor and a great source of pride for Shirley. She was a curator of many things, most of which she kept during her lifetime since she never threw anything away!
Somewhere in Heaven, a rooster is crowing, the sun is shining, fields of flowers are blooming, and Shirley is smiling.
Shirley is survived by siblings Robert Navarre and TC Navarre, and sons Gary McDuff (Mary Ann), Patrick McDuff, Michael McDuff, Timothy McDuff (Libby), and daughters Molly Levegood (Bill), Mary Lee House (Del), Laura Karsten (Dan), and grandchildren Mary Levegood, Will Levegood, Jim Levegood, Ashley Pearson (Philip), Hailey Flaming (Robert), Melanie House, Madeleine McDuff-Huber (Chandler), Megan Hall (Alex), Jon Karsten, Kelly Karsten, Claire Karsten, and great grandchildren Rachel Pearson, Sydney Pearson, William Pearson and Emmett Flaming
Her love, devotion and kindness will be a treasured source of comfort to those left behind.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to:
strikingagainstbreastcancer.org
A memorial service will take place at 10:30 AM on Friday, April 14, 2023 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church (625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, TX 77079). The interment of ashes will take place at 12:30 PM at Houston National Cemetery.
Thank you for visiting this memorial web page. Please sign the online guest book to let the family know you were here thinking of them.
Services
Memorial Service
Fri. Apr. 14, 2023
10:30 am
St. John Vianney Catholic Church
625 Nottingham Oaks Trail
Houston , TX 77079.
Inurnment
Fri. Apr. 14, 2023
12:30 pm
Houston National Cemetery
10410 Veterans Memorial Drive
Houston , TX 77038.
St. John Vianney Catholic Church
Houston , TX 77079.
Houston National Cemetery
Houston , TX 77038.
Houston , TX 77079.
Houston , TX 77038.
Shirley Marie Navarre McDuff, 94, devoted mother and wife, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2023 surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren. Shirley is predeceased by her cherished husband of 70 years, Lee McDuff, and her siblings Nolan Navarre, Mary Louis Boudreaux, Nellie Mae Navarre Gauthreaux, Neddie Francis Navarre, Harry Robert Navarre, Edrye Navarre Dours, Walter Joseph Navarre, and daughter-in-law Carolyn McDuff.
Shirley, the 7th child of Robert Honoré Navarre and Eliza St. Germaine Navarre, was born February 12, 1929 in Napoleonville, Louisiana. Shirley spent most of her childhood in St Francisville, Louisiana happily surrounded by family and friends. After graduating from St. Francisville High School and attending Business school, she worked alongside her sister in a local store. It was in this store that she met the man that would change her life. After a short courtship, Shirley wed Lee McDuff in a beautiful double ceremony with her best friend and sister, Edrye, on March 25, 1951. Lee and Shirley soon began their family and were relocated to Houston when Lee accepted a transfer working for Transco Energy. Leaving the embrace of her home and family was difficult for Shirley
but she wasted no time in creating a large and loving family of her own. As their family grew, so did their devotion to one another.
Throughout her long and fulfilled life, Shirley had many passions. Her love of movies, music, cooking and gardening were a joy to her family and friends. Family and her Catholic faith meant everything to Shirley. Her happiest days were spent attending Mass or in her garden surrounded by her 7 children, 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Shirley loved to spend time with each of her grandchildren sharing stories, laughter and wisdom that they will carry with them always. She was present at every concert, program, celebration and event for her grandchildren and loved sharing these moments with them. Shirley would tell you that being “Grandma” was her crowning achievement.
Many a family gathering involved Cajun cooking, coffee, laughter and lots of French bread. Her skills in the kitchen, however, were no match for her garden expertise. Her beautiful flowers were admired by many a neighbor and a great source of pride for Shirley. She was a curator of many things, most of which she kept during her lifetime since she never threw anything away!
Somewhere in Heaven, a rooster is crowing, the sun is shining, fields of flowers are blooming, and Shirley is smiling.
Shirley is survived by siblings Robert Navarre and TC Navarre, and sons Gary McDuff (Mary Ann), Patrick McDuff, Michael McDuff, Timothy McDuff (Libby), and daughters Molly Levegood (Bill), Mary Lee House (Del), Laura Karsten (Dan), and grandchildren Mary Levegood, Will Levegood, Jim Levegood, Ashley Pearson (Philip), Hailey Flaming (Robert), Melanie House, Madeleine McDuff-Huber (Chandler), Megan Hall (Alex), Jon Karsten, Kelly Karsten, Claire Karsten, and great grandchildren Rachel Pearson, Sydney Pearson, William Pearson and Emmett Flaming
Her love, devotion and kindness will be a treasured source of comfort to those left behind.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to:
strikingagainstbreastcancer.org
A memorial service will take place at 10:30 AM on Friday, April 14, 2023 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church (625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, TX 77079). The interment of ashes will take place at 12:30 PM at Houston National Cemetery.
Thank you for visiting this memorial web page. Please sign the online guest book to let the family know you were here thinking of them.
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