Gay Collette Viccellio was born Jan. 7, 1939 in Lake Charles to Charles Tell and Edith Collette Viccellio and passed away Sept. 29, 2021 at Avanti Senior Living in Youngsville, La.   Gay was a 1956 graduate of Lake Charles High and a member of the Kilties and a 1960 graduate of LSU where she was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority. After graduation, one of her earliest and most enjoyable jobs was working for the Tax Collector’s office in Lake Charles.

Gay was a member of the Junior League of Lake Charles and then transferred to the Junior League of Houston when moved to Houston in 1964 where she worked for Amoco Production Company until her retirement in 1994. Gay enjoyed her work and her many co-workers who became life-long friends, especially her dearest friend, Marilyn Farr.  Throughout her life, Gay enjoyed traveling and cruising, and met many new friends along the way.  After retirement, Gay volunteered at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church at every possible opportunity, including the Senior Council, Prime Timers, Alzheimer’s Day Out, the Pumpkin Patch and whatever was needed.

Gay leaves behind her brother, Charlie (Joanna) Viccellio of Lake Charles; nephew, Steele (Jennifer) Viccellio; and great-nephews, Spencer, Anthony, Nicholas and Vincent of West Virginia; nieces, Sue Gay (Jan) Viccellio and Joy V. Breaux (fiancé Tom Shearman); and great-niece, Emily (Matt) Pettaway of Lake Charles; and great-great-nephew, Bond, all of Lake Charles.

Cremation was entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home.  A celebration of life will be held 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021 at First United Methodist Church.  The Rev. Weldon Bares will officiate.  Inurnment will follow in Consolata Cemetery.  A gathering of family members and friends will be at the church on Tuesday from 12 p.m. until the start of the service.

The family expresses its heartfelt thanks to the staff of Avanti Senior Living and Traditions Hospice for their outstanding care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hobo Hotel for Cats, 650 E. School St., Lake Charles, LA 70607, or Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, 12955 Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77079 or to a charity of your choice.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net