Theresa Alonzo, Mother, Artist Businesswoman Dies at Age 90

Theresa Lemoine Alonzo, May 1, 1927- October 7, 2017. “Whenever we see yellow butterflies, we think of mom who often told us that she sends them to watch over us when she cannot. Our beloved mother, Monkee to her grandchildren, Dale to friends and Nanny to her siblings passed into the arms of Jesus and her husband, Jay, on October 7, 2017”
“She died at exactly 1:43 a.m. — 1-4-3 was often used in our family to be another way to say, ‘I love you!’ Mother left us with that final thought at that moment.”
Theresa was born a few weeks before the great flood of 1927, to Edith Dufour Lemoine and Worthy Charles Lemoine of Simmesport, Louisiana, the oldest child of six.
She is survived by daughter and son-in-law Roxanne and Earl Atkinson, three sons and daughters-in-law, Jay Dennis and Debra Alonzo, Robin and Lisa Alonzo and Kevin and Lee Ann Alonzo; 16 grandchildren, 23 great- grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Jerry and Iris Lemoine, Don and Lori Lemoine, and a sister and brother-in-law, Reba and Lucas Breaux.
She was a graduate of Baton Rouge Business College and worked as assistant to the nun who ran Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in the late 1940’s. She was a retired EBR school bus driver with 25 years of service.
Theresa was an artist who left beautiful paintings on canvas, porcelain and wood. She taught catechism and led Bible studies. She was a leader in the school community and served as PTO president. She was an excellent seamstress who made clothes for herself and many others. She served others with meals, visits and a compassionate heart.
To her family she epitomized the Proverbs 31 woman, “…her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”’
Theresa was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Minnie Lemoine Aquillard and brother, W.C. Lemoine, Jr.
Visitation was at Rabenhorst East, 11000 Florida Blvd. on Tuesday, October 10 with a Rosary. Visitation continued at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church with a mass of Christian burial conducted by Father Mike Moroney.
Burial followed in Resthaven Mausoleum. Pallbearers were her seven grandsons, Daniel, Evan, Joel and Kyle Atkinson and Nathan, Collin and Dustin Alonzo.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
“Look for the yellow butterflies! We love you, Monkee!”
Please share condolences at www.rabenhorst.com.