Loretta Avenel Merrill

Loretta Avenel Merrill passed away peacefully while surrounded by her family on Wednesday, November 8, 2017. Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends that she had touched in some way throughout her very memorable life.

She was born to the late Albert Joseph Avenel and Vivian Marie Petitfils on July 17, 1939, in New Orleans. She was a resident of State Line, MS for the past 34 years and most recently moved to Covington, LA to be near her family who meant the world to her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert Joseph Avenel and Vivian Marie Petitfils; her grandmother Cornelia Estopinal Petitfils; her brother Brian Theodore Avenel; her brother Calvin Avenel; her sister Yvonne A. Walker and her son, Samuel Philip Hindelang.

Loretta is survived by her loving husband of 33 years, William Wayne Merrill; her children Lisa Jean Hindelang Breland (Jim), Billie Jo Theresa Hindelang Pigniolo (Jerry) and Tricia Lynn Hindelang Vise (John); her siblings Albert J. Avenel (Geri), Laura-Lee Sinclair, Charlene Finger (Pete), Lee Ann Porche, Alfred Alemany (Marie), Debra Alemany, William Avenel, Barbara A. Thibodeaux and Cathy A. Politte; loving and dedicated “Granny” to Ashley Elizabeth Breland, James Monroe Breland, Jr. (Amelia), Peyton Laine Pigniolo, Madison Grace Vise and Cassidy Rae Vise; great-grandmother to Harper Grace Breland. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Loretta was a graduate of St. Bernard High School Class of 1957. She loved and touched so many so many lives along the way; life without her will never be the same.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation to be held at St. Bernard Memorial Funeral Home, 701 W. Virtue St., Chalmette, LA on Saturday, November 11, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service in Loretta’s memory beginning at 11:00 a.m. She will be laid to rest in St. Bernard Memorial Gardens. To view and sign the family guestbook, please visit www.stbernardmemorial.com.

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