Regina Celine Guillory

CHURCH POINT- A Mass of Resurrection will be held for Regine Celine Noel at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church of Church Point on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.; visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the mass in the church. Burial will follow at the Old Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church Cemetery. 

Born on September 7, 1929, in Arnaudville, LA, the seventh child of Onalise Thibodeaux (mother) and David Noel (father), Regina Celine Noel, received the call to “come home to God” on Sunday, February 16, 2025, surrounded by members of her loving and caring family. Celine was one of twenty children born to David Noel.

Growing up in Arnaudville and Lewisburg, Celine attended Lawtell Elementary School and the Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Opelousas, until the age of fifteen. Deep in her heart, she heard God’s call to follow and serve Him as a Marianite of Holy Cross for 25 years. After much discernment, Celine decided that she was being called to married life, entering the sacrament of matrimony with Wilton (Will) Guillory.

A natural at teaching, she received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Our Lady of Holy Cross College. Having a great love for children she was drawn to serve first and second grade students in New Orleans, Metairie, Houma, Port Allen, and Eunice. Celine continued her ministry as an educator in schools in Lafayette and Carencro, LA, where she shared her love for teaching with colleagues, students, and parents. Many of her students commented on her love for singing and how she used that talent to make them remember certain information.

After the death of her husband, Celine moved into C’est la Vie Independent Living apartments in Opelousas until the time of her need for more health assistance. She was a resident of Prompt Succor Nursing Facility for ten years until her death on February 16, 2025. Celine suffered from dementia, but that did not stop her from teaching. Yes, she frequently had some of the residents “learning” their prayers and being reminded to stay in their seats. She will be remembered for singing “Red River Valley” and “You Are My Sunshine” at activity time with the residents.

Celine is preceded in death by her mother, Onalise Thibodeaux Noel, her father, David Noel, her stepmother, Maria Miller Noel, and several siblings. Deceased sisters are: Eldean Noel, Bertha Noel Brown (Med), Vivian Noel Bossely Garland), Ana Mae Noel Bourgeois (Reynold), and Meta Theresa Noel. Deceased brothers are: Allen (Addie), Harold (Rita), and Sam Noel (Judy).

Left to enjoy her memories are Sister Marie Emma Noel, msc, Lawrence (Louella), Wilfred (Gloria), Sister Marie Noel, msc, Dale (Kathleen), Reed (Deborah), Patra Noel Benoit (Charles, deceased), Fred (Marilyn), Jane Noel Lambert (James), Maria Noel Sandau (John), and Dwain (Roberta) and many, many nieces, nephews, and over 100 great and grand nieces and nephews.

Celine lived a beautiful life, even to the end. We can learn a lesson from her gratefulness and smiles. She can best be described as being in love with her God and the Blessed Virgin Mary, remembering to the very end the prayers of the rosary instilled in her from childhood. She was a person of gratitude, a woman with a passion for teaching, and a prayerful person, even to her last days.

“To love others is to touch the face of God.” Victor Hugo's novel, Les Misérables

Psalm 73:26 “My flesh and my heart failed: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.” Celine you will forever live in our hearts…

Words of Comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.