Mary Stelly

Opelousas – Mrs. Helen Stelly, a resident of Opelousas, passed away at Opelousas General Health System on Saturday, May 29, 2021, at the age of 86.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, May 31, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. in St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church of Grand Coteau. The Rev. Father Clyde LeBlanc celebrated the mass. Victoria Higdon served as the reader. Rite of Committal and interment followed in the St. Charles Mausoleum.

She was a dedicated homemaker who loved to cook, bake, care for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and go to the casino. She also enjoyed visiting with relatives, caring for her pets, and traveling with her husband, with whom she had just celebrated her 70th wedding anniversary on May 20, 2021.

She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Merlin Stelly; one daughter, Katherine Stelly Guidroz; two sons, Donald Stelly and David Stelly (JoAnn); 4 grandchildren; Stephanie Guidroz Higdon (Cary), Jared Guidroz (Brooke), Eric Stelly (Lacie), and Scott Stelly; five great-grandchildren, Nicholas Higdon, Victoria Higdon, Gabrielle Guidroz, Kinsley Stelly, and Katelyn Stelly; one sister, Shirley Montgomery (R.L.); and one sister-in-law, Irene Doucet.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Artheus Jr. and Elmire Lalonde Leger; three sisters, Hazel Miller (Olen), Pat Hilda Wade (Kendrick), and Ethel Theall (Harry); one brother, Raphael Doucet Jr., and her in-laws, Joseph and Agnes Stelly.

Visitation was held on Monday, May 31, 2021, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the church. A rosary was recited at 1:00 p.m. by Deacon Darrell Burleigh.

Pallbearers were David Stelly, Eric Stelly, Scott Stelly, Cary Higdon, Nicholas Higdon, and Chad Montgomery