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Mary Lacour Pela

May 15, 1924 — November 18, 2012

Mary Lacour Pela

Mary Lacour Pela, age 88 of Gulfport, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2012, surrounded by her family. Mary was born in Victoria, Texas on May 15, 1924, to Mary Agnes Keefe Lacour and Henry Marcellain Lacour. She grew up in Houston, Texas and attended Rice University. Mary married her childhood sweetheart, Albert Sylvan Pela, Sr., during World War II. After the war, they lived at Texas A&M University, where she became an honorary “Aggie” and lifelong band supporter. Al and Mary started their family while attending A&M, and after several transfers with the Department of Agriculture, they moved to Gulfport, MS in 1962. As a homemaker, Mary enjoyed raising her family and volunteering for various causes, including St. John Elementary Library, the Girl Scouts of America, and the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center. One of the highlights of her life was competing on the game show “Jeopardy” in New York City. She loved the arts, as well as sports, and over the years she never missed piano and ballet recitals, football and baseball games, and academic awards programs of her children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Albert; her parents, Mary Agnes and Henry Lacour; and a brother, Henry Lacour, Jr. She is survived by her children: Albert Sylvan Pela, Jr. and wife, Louise, of Savannah, GA; Mary Ellen Pela Calvert and husband, Larry, of Gulfport, MS; Mike Pela and his wife, Susan, of Gulfport, MS; and Bill Pela and his wife, Alice, of Dallas, TX. She is also survived by her 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, several close first cousins, and assorted nieces and nephews. Friends may visit Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home at 1726 15th Street in Gulfport from 11:30-12:30 on Friday, November 23rd, 2012. Services will commence at 12:30 with interment at 1:30 at the Biloxi National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to St. James Catholic School, 603 West Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39507 or the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, P.O. Box 1992, Savannah, GA 31402. A special note of gratitude goes to the staff of Emeritus Biloxi Assisted Living Center and Odyssey Hospice. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com
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Past Services

Visitation

Friday, November 23, 2012

11:30am - 12:30 pm

Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home - 15th Street

1726 15th Street, Gulfport, MS 39501

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Service

Friday, November 23, 2012

Starts at 12:30 pm

Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home - 15th Street

1726 15th Street, Gulfport, MS 39501

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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