Hortense "Tonsie" Lapeyrouse Gaude'

Hortense "Tonsie" Lapeyrouse Gaude' was born May 4, 1903 in Thibodaux, Louisiana. One of eleven children born to David Louis Lapeyrouse and Marie Bourgeois Lapeyrouse, she lived in Thibodaux until her marriage to Robert P. Gaude' of Biloxi in 1925. She was a resident of Biloxi for the remainder of her life. Tonsie had three children: Robert, Jr., Shirley, and an unnamed baby boy. Gaude' Bowling Lanes on Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi was named for her son, 1st Lt. Robert P. Gaude', Jr., who was an Air Force pilot killed during the Korean War. "Tonsie", as she was known to everyone, was an avid gardener all her life and served as a mentor to many gardening novices. She and her good friend Emelda Freiberger grew many plants each year for sale by the Biloxi Regional Hospital Auxiliary. She spent her long life unselfishly caring for others in ways she was too modest to recount. She was a Christian in the truest sense of the word. For the past few years she could no longer drive, but was able to continue her volunteer activities even after her 102nd birthday with the assistance of Terry Janca, her Godson who faithfully acted as her driver and assistant. She worked as a Red Cross Volunteer at Biloxi Regional Hospital and was an active member of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary where she served as a Minister of the Eucharist to shut-ins, was a member of the Altar Society and the Hope and Consolation Committee. "Tonsie" also was a Gold Star Mother, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and a Retired Senior Volunteer. Many honors were bestowed on her by her Church, city, state and other organizations in recognition of her volunteer work, some of which included: 1984 Biloxi Volunteer of the Year. 1984 Biloxi Catholic Diocese Bishop's Service Cross. 1985 Governor's Distinguished Service Award for Mississippi WLOX Person of the Week 1999 Biloxi Lions Club Citizen of the Year Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Lumen Christi Award (Light of Christ) 2002 & 2003 City of Biloxi Proclamation Awards 2004 Ageless Hero of Mississippi Award given by Blue Cross/Blue Shield of MS She was preceded in death by her three children, husband, parents, two sisters and eight brothers. Survivors include two nieces, Ray Lapeyrouse of Tallahassee, Florida and Jo Ann Zea of Newville, PA, a nephew, Ronny Lapeyrouse, and several other nephews. In lieu of flowers, a memorial in her name may be made to the Nativity BVM Cathedral Fund for the Restoration of Sacred Heart School, or to your favorite charity. A Mass of Christian Burial for Hortense "Tonsie" Lapeyrouse Gaude' will be held at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Biloxi, Mississippi on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive visitiors at the Cathedral beginning at 9:00 a.m. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes, Howard Avenue, Biloxi, MS is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com