An update to Sue Mason Olivier's Story...

On May 15, 2017, Sue passed away. We will miss her friendly smile. She was always so pleasant. She loved the visits from her son. When her brought her little dog, Sue was overjoyed! Rest in peace, Sue. We love you. Click on the following link to read her full obituary.

https://www.techetoday.com/obituaries/suzanne-%E2%80%98sue%E2%80%99-mason-olivier 

Above is a page from the yearbook of Sue’s high school junior year. It is called “Bayou Echo ’53,” published by The Senior Class of Cecilia High School. Sue is pictured with other officers of her class: Louis Naquin (deceased), Laura Jane Latiolais, Nancy Jo Angelle (deceased) and Liney Guidry.

Sitting quietly in a recliner in the Day Room, Sue waits for her manicure. Mr. Lester is fussing because he wants to sleep. The nurse patiently explains that he should try to sit up for a while and it is too early for a nap. It would be good for him, she explains. After a moment, he begrudgingly agrees. June talks to her doll and then gives her a loving hug. No doubt this resident is remembering hugging her babies. It is impossible to erase such precious memories.

Several residents are in comfortable recliners and they seems to be enjoying a moment of peace and relaxation. They are aware, but undisturbed, by anything going on around them.

Sue is always peaceful. She is an “only” child and has learned to appreciate her own company. I remember her husband and I ask about him and how they met. That was enough to get Sue remembering all kinds of details she says she had not thought about in years.

A grocery store where as a child she could ride her tricycle between the rows of groceries and various household items was what supported her family. Sue grew up under the watchful eye of her mom and dad. They were merchants on Bushville Highway in Cecilia. As business grew, her parents added items to their stock in order to meet the needs of their friends and neighbors, customers who sometimes stopped by to just sit on the porch and listen to the radio. Sue remembers that her parents and friends listened to the news; but, the Dudley LeBlanc’s Hadacol program was the favorite of the friends.

Sue says: I miss those days. People just don’t visit anymore.

She mentions Mr. Sandoz Tauzin, father of Stella Tauzin, Mrs. Eddie Schexnayder. Mr. Tauzin was very industrious, she explained. He saw progress in his life as a result of his hard work.

Sue’s dad was also a hard worker. He owned a truck. When sugarcane harvest came around, he added to the family income by hauling cane to the refinery in Breaux Bridge. He was creative and added the marketing of cabbage, peppers and pecans as the different harvesting seasons came around.

Sue is grateful that her father provided transportation for her as she studied at USL for a year and then was hired at GMAC. Sue was able to pick up riders who paid a small fee to ride with her. This helped pay for Sue’s expenses. Classmates Nancy Jo Angelle and Liney Guidry and also Barbara Martin Domingue from Arnaudville, were some of her passengers.

Sue talked about her husband, Clarence. He was a student at USL, now UL of Lafayette. Sue was very happy when one day, he showed up at her high school just to see her. The nightlife at the time involved trips to the Silver Slipper on Highway 31 between Arnaudville and Leonville. Ethel Tauzin, who became Mrs. Coach Huval, was a friend who joined Sue for good times at the Silver Slipper. They met Sue’s future husband’s sister, Jeanette Olivier, who married Eric LaPorte. Sometimes Donald Lee Willis, brother of Arnaudville resident Ralph Willis, would accompany them. It is there that Sue met Clarence. When Sue and Clarence dated, her mom served as chaperone. Dates included a stop at Johnny’s where they played the juke box. Sue continues: “Clarence was a good sport” and, she proudly proclaims: “We made a good couple.”

Clarence worked for the State and at one time, he worked in a program to discover the pros and cons of fire ants. He was also a farmer and came from a farming family.

Sue, I remember, was well groomed and wore lovely clothes. I would occasionally see her in Lafayette where I lived and worked. She always displayed a quiet, dignified demeanor. Sue talks about her career in bookkeeping for GMAC, work for which she was perfectly suited. She enjoyed 31 years there.

Sue tells me that she and coworkers ate lunch, which was usually something they brought from home. This gave them about 45 minutes to shop. They walked to Abdallas, Heymann’s or Montogmery Wards where they did more looking than shopping. Sue used her time to observe what was “in style.” Her favorite shopping and buying spot was with Hyman Cohan, “the Jew,” she and I laughingly remember.

Hyman was abrupt, at best. Not a friendly merchant, he opened his store only on occasion. I don’t remember any formal commercials. Words quickly spread that “the Jew” was in town. That meant shopping in an antique building on Bridge Street in Breaux Bridge. The building still stands. I know he opened in other areas but we shopped with him in Breaux Bridge. It was standing room only and we walked around tables piled high with sweaters, shirts, skirts, dresses and underclothes. The mounds of merchandise were not priced. The piles seem to automatically move into the arms of excited shoppers who then had to stand in line to checkout. “The Jew” loudly called out a price and all knew there would be no haggling. It was the best price to be had.

I remember shopping with my Mom who had found two identical sweaters for her identical twins. “The Jew” asked 50 cents for one and seventy-five for the second. Puzzled, Mom questioned the difference in price for the same sweaters. Hyman said: “You don’t want, fine!” To Mom’s horror, he took both sweaters and threw them in a cardboard box in back of his counter. Mom left empty-handed and very embarrassed.

We all knew that the best buys were made when “the Jew” was in town. Sue, like many of us, loved “the Jew” and she loved the clothes she bought there. The pretty outfits she wore to work quite often came from our original thrift store before we knew of thrift stores.

Sue fondly remembers her career of over 31 years. It was a sad day when she left her desk for the last time. She remembers crying all the way home because she knew she would miss her coworkers.

Sue never ventured far from home. In time, Sue and Clarence built a home next to the little grocery store that holds so many memories of her parents and wonderful life. Clarence loved to cook and many times when Sue came home from work, dinner was waiting for her. Sue enjoyed cooking, too, and especially liked to bake.

There is no doubt that the absolute highlight of Sue’s life was the birth of her son. Sue had suffered through one miscarriage and so the successful delivery of a healthy baby boy was a dream come true. She was working but was able to take 6 weeks maternity leave. A nanny, “Gladys,” was hired to take care of her little boy when she had to return to work. It was a great challenge for Sue to leave her precious baby, although Gladys was an excellent nanny who took good care of her baby. Gladys was certain that this little boy would grow up to be President, Sue explains. He had other ideas. He decided to become an ER doctor instead.

It was a difficult period in Sue’s life when Clarence became ill and passed away. After retirement, Sue filled her hours with her volunteer activities at St. Joseph Church in Cecilia. On Sundays, she served as Eucharistic Minister and on Mondays, she helped with counting the collection in the church office.

Now, days at J. Michael Morrow Memorial Nursing Home can be long. Sue does miss her family and friends, like Bunice LeBlanc and Rochelle Angelle from St. Martinville. Rochelle is the daughter of one of the Cecilia teachers of that time, Mr. C.J. Angelle.

Since Sue is confined to the wheelchair, it means long days of sitting. Her day usually begins at 4:00 a.m. Tuesday is beauty shop day when Sue’s hair is done. Manicures and pedicures are on Thursdays. Sometimes Sue goes on trips where the residents are transported on the nursing home bus to attend various functions. After lunch, a nap is in order. This is followed by Bingo which is enjoyed by many of the residents, Sue included.

Sue has one granddaughter and one grandson and is proud to speak about their studies and careers. She feels great pride in her family.

It is always a pleasure to visit with Sue. I will transcribe her story and then find her soon to read what I have written. I know I will enjoy my visit. Since I have started these weekly visits, I find myself driving to J. Michael Morrow Nursing Home more frequently. There is great joy in recording the memoirs of these great citizens. They have so much to say.

On the first Thursday of each month, at 9:30 a.m., you are invited to join Sue and I and others for the Apostleship of Prayer Nonco Group. For one hour, we add our intentions to those of the Holy Father’s. We always have good exchanges and We SING!