Well, one can easily tell that Aileen has a way with words.

Mary-Aileen, named after her paternal grandmother, grew up in Sunset. Her parents were Clebay and Rose Marie Menard Babineaux. Two of Rose Marie’s brothers, Aileen’s uncles, were well known in the community, one well known throughout the United States! Eleanor “Bryant” Menard was a sweet potato buyer/shipper throughout the U.S. Wilfred “Fifteen” Menard, another of Aileen’s uncles, was a school bus driver for many years. Don Menard, former St. Landry Parish President was a distant cousin and his wife, Susan Babineaux, was also a cousin but on Aileen’s father’s side.

One of Aileen’s cousins was Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, former Governor of the State of Louisiana. 

Family vacations are wonderful memories from Aileen’s childhood. There was always a trip to Grand Isle each summer. Of particular interest was the camp where the Babineaux family stayed. It belonged to Aileen’s uncle Eleanor Menard and was located next door to a camp owned by Bishop Maurice Schexnayder.

Aileen’s siblings are: Mary Lee Babineaux Kidder, Mrs. Raymond “Candyman” Kidder, who was eight years older than Aileen. After marrying, she resided in Lafayette. She had four children: Paula Kidder Stelly, Gordon Ray “Doctor G” Kidder, Joy Kidder Darby, and Angela Kidder Melancon. An experience for Mary Lee and Raymond was something that no parent should ever go through. They lost two of their four children, Joy and Gordon.

Another of Aileen’s siblings, 10 years her junior, is Melba Ruth Babineaux who married Jeff Vincent. They live in Youngsville. Melba had no children of her own; but, Jeff has one son, Jeff Jr.

Aileen lost her father when he was only 44. He died in an automobile accident. Two years later, her mother died of a massive heart attack. Aileen was a freshman in high school and had lost both of her parents. She and her younger sister, Melba, went to live with their older sister, Mary Lee and her husband, Raymond. That meant that Aileen had to transfer from Sunset High to Carencro High School where she quickly became a leader. She belonged to several clubs and high school organizations. She was third in her graduating class and on graduation night, May 24, 1961, where she served as Mistress of Ceremony for her class. She cried through the whole thing because it was on that day three years before that her mother had died. Many in the audience knew her story and cried right along with her.

Top L-R Aileen, First Grade, Eighth Grade, Tenth Grand and Graduation. Bottom L from Senior Class Play "Grandad goes Wild!" Aileen on Left and Verona Simon Domingue,  Right. Bottom R from Senior Ring Ceremony, Monsignor Waffler officiating. With Aileen right and on the left is Raymond Duplechin.

In addition to the many awards that Aileen received, she was also the recipient of the American Legion Award, the most prestigious honor given in those days.

Immediately following graduation from high school, Aileen enrolled in the University of Southwestern Louisiana, now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Aileen majored in Education with a minor in French. She attended USL for 2 years and then met a young man named Russell Kidder at Four Corners in Cecelia. There were no bells. Later, though, she again saw Russell at Toby’s Oak Grove in Lafayette. That night, he made an impression. Aileen recalls that he was wearing a light blue shirt and she says: “I could not get over how handsome he was. I then fell in love with him.”

After a courtship of only five months, Aileen Babineaux and Russell “Ki” Kidder were married on March 3, 1962, at St. Leo's in Lafayette. They have been married for 59 years. They bought a house in Lafayette and lived there for nine years before returning to live in Arnaudville where Russell grew up. Until this day, he still lives at that same location. 

They had two children, Colette who is married to Mike Taylor. They have one son, Jake. Jake graduated from ULL on December 9, 2020, with honors and a degree in Electrical Engineering. Jake is marrying Victoria Badeaux on December 3, 2021. 

Chris is Aileen and Russell’s son. He has four children: Cierra, Jordon, Lani, and Graci. He is currently married to Tiffini Romero Kidder. He was previously married Shannon Bossley, the mother of his first two children, Cierra and Jordan. Lani is a junior at Beau Chene. Graci is an eighth grader at Saint Ignatius School in Grand Coteau. Cierra works as a bartender at the Courtableau Bar in Port Barre. She is also a housekeeper three days a week for different families. Jordan works as an electrician in training. Aileen and Russell also have three step grandchildren: Taylor Albarado and Madi and Maci Miller.

Above is Aileen's sister-in-law,  Sister Jane Marie Kidder, a Marianite Sister of the Holy Cross for 65 years now. She is Russell's only sibling.

Aileen has enjoyed a remarkable career. She is remembered by many as one of the best secretaries who ever graced an office. Her spirituality probably led her to the Diocese of Lafayette, Office of Religious Education. Aileen worked with Monsignor Robert Angelle who was Assistant Director of Administration, Supervisor of Catholic Schools and Acting Director of Seminarians. Following that, Aileen worked for five years as secretary and Office Director of Family Life before becoming Family Life Director. She served in that capacity for 15 years.

During Aileen’s career with the Diocese of Lafayette, she worked for four of seven Diocesan Bishops: Most Reverend Maurice Schexnadyder, Most Reverend Gerard Louis Frye, Most Reverend Harry Joseph Flynn, and Most Reverend Edward Joseph O’Donnell.

Aileen was also the secretary at St. John Francis Regis when Father William P. Ruskoski was the pastor. Following her tenure at St. Francis, Aileen worked for 12 years at Saint Elizabeth Seton as Director of Marriage and Family with Father Harold Trahan.

What a career! That means that Aileen served 41 years in different positions in the employment of the Diocese of Lafayette.

Six years ago, Russell and Aileen lost their home in a house fire. Although the whole experience was extremely painful, Aileen recalls Cierra and Jordan crying uncontrollably because they were losing their home as well. Everything was lost in the fire--many things which cannot be replaced. Among the irreplaceable is a 16 x 20 picture of Colette on her wedding day. Other pictures and family heirlooms which provided much sentimental memories included many crocheted items made for Aileen by her sister Mary Lee who died 11 years ago.

Another event which greatly impacted Aileen and her family was the murder of Russell's mother in her country store on May 30, 1968.  Father Gary Schexnayder arrived on the scene and found her behind her counter in her store.

Aileen has a great memory and when asked how she has cultivated that memory, she states: “Memory is a gift from God and I ask him to let me use it for His glory and honor.”

She enjoys visiting with friends who are also residents at J. Michael Morrow. She participates in the religious activities and also Bingo! After Bingo on Thursdays, Aileen leads a Pro-Life Rosary. On Friday, she leads the Divine Mercy Chaplet, also called the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, which is a Christian devotion to the Divine Mercy, based on the Christological apparitions of Jesus reported by Saint Faustina Kowalska, known as "the Apostle of Mercy." She was a Polish religious sister of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy and canonized as a Catholic saint in 2000. Both devotions are well attended by Aileen's fellow residents.

She continues: “In conclusion, I would like to encourage anyone in need of senior care to consider J. Michael Morrow Memorial Nursing Home. I promise you will not be sorry.”

It is always a pleasure to visit with Aileen. She even shared a story about her daughter, Colette and my mother, Nola Arnaud. At one time, Mom was the cafeteria manager at Little Flower School. Aileen told me that to this very day, her daughter feels that no one could bake chicken like Nola Arnaud. I must add that in later years, Mom wanted a computer so she could email her girls. She even typed her own cookbook. When Aileen told the Baked Chicken story, I consulted Mom’s cookbook and here is her recipe as it appears in her cookbook.

Baked Chicken

1 large fryer

1 Tbsp. salt

¼ tsp. red and black pepper

½ tsp garlic powder

1 Tbsp. buttermilk, powdered

Mix seasonings and butter pd. Rub chicken halves with mixture. Line pan with foil. Place chicken skins up. Bake at 400 degrees for 1 ½ hours, basting with drippings. Serve with baked potatoes and green salad.

Betty Roy, Nonco Foundation