Rita Jeanette Vidrine Richard passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, October 16, 2021 in Westlake, LA surrounded by her loved ones. She was 85.

Jeanette was born in Mamou to her parents, Onezime and EnaBelle Vidrine on September 15, 1936. She married Elie J. Richard, Jr. in November of 1952.  Jeanette loved her life as a homemaker and as her children grew up she worked outside the home as an ice packer, cafeteria substitute, cashier, and a Calcasieu Parish School Board bus driver.  She enjoyed cooking, sewing, visiting with “the coffee ladies”, and praying with the rosary group. She served as a member of the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary and served in different roles at St. John Bosco Catholic Church in Westlake.

She is survived by her children, Craig (Kay) Richard, Bryan Richard, Susan Richard, Stephanie Thibodeaux, Scott (Missy) Richard, Sherry (Bill) Pousson, Dianne (Keith) Palermo, sixteen grandchildren, and twenty-four great-grandchildren; her sister Mary Verrette; several godchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Elie J. Richard, Jr., her parents, brother, Robert J. Vidrine, sister, Cecilia Gayle Vidrine, son-in-law Gary Thibodeaux, grandson, Jared Richard, and great grandson, Easton Thibodeaux.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John Bosco Catholic Church in Westlake on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at 2:00pm, with Father Jenesh Joseph officiating.  Visitation will be held at Hixson Funeral Home in Westlake on Tuesday, beginning at 9:00am until the Rosary at 12:00pm.  Pallbearers are her grandsons, Russell Richard, Patrick Thibodeaux, Timmy Guidry, Justin Guidry, Austin Trahan, Adam Pousson, Landon Richard, and great-grandson, Jonathan Ewing.

Burial will follow at Westlake Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family would like to express sincere thanks to Penny Chaisson, Darrell Bergeron, Vanessa Ceasar, Theresa Guidry, Enola Batiste, Anne Marie Barry, Kaelin Perkins, and Angelle Highbaugh for providing loving care to our mother/grandmother/great-grandmother through this difficult time.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonwestlake.com.