Stacey Ann Ortego Richard

OPELOUSAS- It is with profound sadness and great heartache that we announce the passing of our beloved Stacey Ann Ortego Richard, 52, revered as a pillar of strength, bravery, and unyielding positivity, passed away on April 18, 2025 at home surrounded by her loved ones after many long years battling a genetic kidney disease called Polycystic Kidney Disease. Stacey was known for her warmth and kindness, unwavering faith, and the undeniably loving spirit she brought into the world. Through all the darkness, tragedy, and unfair cards she was handed in this life, she continued to be a bright light to all that knew her.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Stacey Ann Ortego Richard on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. in the Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Opelousas. Msgr. Keith DeRouen will celebrate the Mass. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 21, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.; the rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. by Deacon Jerome Collins. Visitation will resume on Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home.

Stacey attended Amy Bradford Ware High School, graduating in 1990. That same year she married her high school sweetheart. She was truly dedicated to the love of her life, Ronald, whom she fell in love with in 1988 at the age 16, and later married in July of 1990 at the age of 17. Stacey always expressed her appreciation for his loving care through all of her sickness for the last 34 years of marriage. After high school, she trained to be a CNA as she enjoyed working with the elderly. She worked at OGH, then later as a medical assistant. In 1999, Ronald started his own business, and Stacey became his behind the scenes pillar to help keep the business running smoothly. They enjoyed many years of adventures, including vacationing at their favorite spot Hot Springs, AR where they celebrated their honeymoon, and numerous trips to Cozumel and cruises. They often enjoyed riding their motorcycle or Bronco and spending time with the many friends they gained throughout the years.

She has always said her greatest job was raising her two girls. She was a phenomenal and loving mother, letting everyone know they were her pride and joy. She was always supportive, their biggest cheerleader, and attended every activity or function they each had. She taught them many life lessons that shaped them into the women they are today. They strive to be at least half the mother she was to them and they will miss her maternal presence every day for the rest of their lives.

The only ones she loved more than her children were her grandchildren. She became a MiMi in 2017 to her first grand baby and welcomed 3 more quickly after. She always said being a grandmother was a different kind of love and her grand babies were her whole world. She enjoyed her visits with them, spoiling them with hugs and kisses. She always tagged along on Saturdays of fun with her girls and grand babies, making memories that they will always hold in their hearts. One of her favorite activities was snuggling up with them watching movies and eating popcorn on Friday or Saturday nights.

Left to cherish her memory is her spouse, Ronald Richard, her children Megan Comeaux (Casey) and Amber Morvant (Dylan), grandchildren Abelynn, Evariste, Maiven, and Amos, and “adopted” son Shawn Thomas (Jarina). She will be lovingly remembered by her sister Roni Doucett (Rodney) and brother Cody Crader (Jamie), sisters Debbie Broussard (Bobby), Peggy Faul (Mike), JoAnn Castania (Jimmy), brothers Tommy Ortego (Wilma), Russel Ortego (Laura), Timmy Ortego (Liz), Tony Ortego (Julie), sister in law Katy Fruge (Joey), brother in law Robert (Terri), and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends, especially Vikki and Jerry Paul Arnaud, Sheila and Scott Mallet.

She was greeted in Heaven with open arms by her loving parents Able and Loretta Ortego, her biological mother Diane Crader, sister Sheila Ortego, and mother-in-law Ella Richard.

Pallbearers will be Leo Richard, JR., Robert Richard, Jerry Arnaud, Brandon Castania, Shawn Thomas, Joel Deville. Honorary pallbearers are Scott Mallet and Lonnie Carriere.

We were grateful and so blessed to know her love and receive her love back. Stacey’s life was cut short, but those of us who were blessed to be touched by her understand that her existence and the imprint she left on our hearts exceed the quantity of time that she stayed here earth-side. She had an impact on each person she interacted with. She was courageous, inspirational, kind, loving, funny, full of joy, a ball of fire that showed us what can be accomplished with determination and persistence. She lived her life to the fullest, despite her many challenges. Stacey was steadfast in her belief and firmly believed she could overcome anything if she had Jesus besides her. Her faith never wavered through all her hardships, including kidney failure, a kidney transplant, multiple kidney rejections, multiple strokes, kidney failure and dialysis, seizures, and countless surgeries. Her favorite Bible verse “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13) was her alma matter and she found comfort in the Serenity Prayer. She was an inspiration to all those who seek Jesus.

Stacey wanted to give specific thanks to her kidney donor, Nicole Deaville, who selflessly gave part of herself up to give Stacey 9 more years of love. It was nothing but divine intervention and Stacey often called Nicole her angel on Earth. Without Nicole’s sacrifice, she wouldn’t have met her grand babies and made so many more wonderful memories. We owe so much to her and will forever be grateful for her presence in our lives. Additionally, Stacey wanted to give the upmost thanks and gratitude for her niece and doctor, Dr. Eliza Tate, who saved her life more times than we can count. Without her intervention and knowledge, Stacey would have been released from this Earth sooner.

While we have lost the rock of our family, many have lost a friend and loved one in her. Her smile and laugh lit up a room, and she always had a way to make everyone laugh (either intentional or not). She was a most cherished friend, coworker, cousin, sister, stand-in maternal figure, nurturer, and the list goes on and on.

We invite you all to share pictures and special memories. It was her wish that we laugh, reminisce, and smile together during this grief filled time.

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