EILEE ANN JEANFREAU BRUNO
Eileen Ann Jeanfreau Bruno, of Slidell, Louisiana, entered eternal life on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at the age of 77. Eileen, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, was born the “first baby of the New Year” on January 1, 1946, to Alfred Alvin Jeanfreau and Lucille Rose DiVencenti Jeanfreau.
She was the beloved wife of her college sweetheart, Martin Bruno, Jr., for 55 years and the devoted mother of four children, Kimberly Eidson (Joe), Martin Bruno, III (Tracie), Jennifer Johnsen (Eric), and Christopher Bruno (Mary). She is survived by one brother, Alfred Joseph “AJ” Jeanfreau, Godson, Greg Jeanfreau (Winter), nephew, John Tetlow (Renee), niece, Lisa Tetlow, twelve grandchildren, whom she adored, nurtured, and prayed for, and many cousins.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, her parents, her niece, Laurie Tetlow, one grandchild, Elise Bruno, and her sister-in-law, Kathleen McDonald Jeanfreau.
Eileen graduated high school from Mount Carmel Academy. Upon receiving her bachelor’s degree in education from Southeastern Louisiana College, she returned to her high school alma mater as a French teacher. She then became certified to teach students whose secondary language was English and did this for many years. Her students adored her, remembering and thanking her many years later for her impact on their lives.
Eileen was a devout Catholic that lived her life for her faith, her family, academia, and the pro-life community. Her love of family extended into her passion of travel with Martin and her children, connecting with distant relatives, and capturing the lives of her loved ones through photo albums and scrapbooks. Eileen’s selfless, motherly, and servant’s heart was a living example of Christ to those around her. She dedicated innumerable hours advocating for the most vulnerable in her community – coordinating fundraisers, volunteering at pregnancy help centers, speaking on behalf of the unborn, and planning and participating in events such as the Life Chain and the Pro-Life Walk. Additionally, Eileen volunteered as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at nursing homes. She will lovingly be remembered for her compassionate, Christ-like heart.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Funeral Mass will begin at 12 p.m. in the chapel and the interment will follow at All Saints Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to the Crisis Pregnancy Help Center of Slidell, www.crisispregnancyhelp.org.
To view and sign the online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com
THOMAS ‘TOM’ J. RAO JR.
Thomas “Tom” J. Rao Jr., of Slidell, Louisiana, passed away peacefully at home with his family at his bedside, on September 6, 2023, at the age of 72. On May 1, 1951, he was “born in Chalmette, but left the next day,” growing up in Algiers. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas J. Rao Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Hodges Rao. Tom is the beloved husband of 54 years to Karen M. Rao; father of Tom Rao III (Lorie), Phillip Rao (Misty), Tony Rao (Christie), and Katie Rao Panks (Bo); proud grandfather of Tommy IV, Zoë (Tyler), Abby, Andrew, Nicholas, Avery, Emily, Preston, Carly, and Olivia; and great-grandfather of Kyleigh, Ellie, and Stella; treasured brother of Cathy Rao Levy, Steve “Greg” Rao (Sue), Jim Rao ( Mary), Chris Rao, M.D., and Paul Rao (Cindy). He also leaves behind a host of extended family members and friends whom he loved greatly.
Tom was best known in his personal life for his unique sense of humor and heart of gold. Professionally, he was a proprietor of a successful video store, Video Village. Tom had a profound love for his grandchildren, never missing any of their events. He prided himself on being able to name any car on the road and any song on the radio, always saying he “knew everything about anything that didn’t matter.” He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
A celebration of life for Tom will be held on September 23, 2023. Please contact karenrao@gmail.com for details. He will be laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery in New Orleans at a private graveside service. Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.audubonfuneralhome.com.
KENNETH ‘KENNY’ F. CANTU JR.
Kenneth “Kenny” F. Cantu Jr. was embraced by the loving arms of our Lord, Jesus Christ on Sunday, August 27, 2023, at the age of 68. He was the beloved husband of Sharon Cabiran Cantu for 23 years. He was stepfather to Alysia Catanzaro Anderson (husband, Brad) and Erica Catanzaro (fiancé, Josh) and step-grandfather to Brianna, Kaleb, Conner, and J.J. He was brother to Kathy Cantu Esponge (husband, Steve), uncle to Kristina Esponge Terry (husband, Michael), and great-uncle to Kennedy, Mason, Kingston, Maverick, and Easton Terry. He is also survived and fondly remembered by many cousins and dear friends.
Kenny was born on September 27, 1954, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Kenneth F. Cantu Sr. (1932-1997) and Lillian Stoltz Cantu (1933-2016). Kenny was a resident of Pearl River, Louisiana, and prior to Hurricane Katrina, he was a resident of Arabi, Louisiana. He graduated from Chalmette High School in 1973. His passion in life was bowling. He was a member of the PBA and SASBA and toured in local, regional, and out-of-town tournaments for 40 years. Kenny also enjoyed fishing and singing Karaoke and gospel hymns. He was an avid LSU and Saints football fan. Later in life, he dedicated his life to Christ and spread the Lord’s message to those he met.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Saturday, September 16, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Audubon Funeral Home in Slidell. Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.AudubonFuneralHome.com
Audubon Funeral Home Obituary Listings
(For information on services, contact Audubon at 985-645-0600 or online at: audubonfuneralhome.com)
Mary Barbara Miret Hanlon, age 94, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Saturday, September 2, 2023.
Born in New Orleans, she attended Soule Business College and worked for the Archdiocese of New Orleans as cafeteria manager at Immaculate Heart of Mary Grammar School.
A devout Catholic and parishioner at St. Luke Church in Slidell, she was a big LSU fan and also enjoyed reading, cooking and dancing.
Brenda Sue Faughn, age 72, of Lacombe, LA, passed away on Monday, September 4, 2023.
A native of Murphysboro, IL, she was an avid reader and history buff who spent most of her life as a homemaker.
She was also a member of the Slidell Senior Center and a mall walker for 20 years.
Kenneth Noble Auter, age 66, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Monday, August 28, 2023.
A native of Birmingham, AL, he served in the U.S. Air Force and was later a Quality Control Specialist with Lockheed Martin.
He was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Slidell and loved cheering for the Saints and Alabama football teams.
Honaker Funeral Home Obituary Listings
(For more information on services, contact Honaker at 985-641-1900 or online at: honakerforestlawn.com)
Noel David Levy, age 91, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Saturday, September 9, 2023.
A lifelong resident of Slidell, he was a Korean War veteran, serving from 1951 to 1955, in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of the 1955 Lake Charles Lakers Evangeline League baseball team and later organized and directed the Tammany Baseball Umpires Association beginning in 1968.
Caroline Ziegler, age 61, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Friday, September 8, 2023.
Born in New Orleans, she moved to Slidell in 1985.