Eulogy for a Friend – A Remembrance

Helen Marie Carmel Ladmarault was born in May 1946, in the sweltering regions of New Orleans, Louisiana. "Carmel" was her confirmation name, which advertised the fact that she was raised a Roman Catholic. The "Marie" portion might have come from her grandmother, Mrs. Maria Paltron, whom Helen invariably referred to as "Mom." With good reason.

For you see, Helen was raised by her grandmother, a large, heavy-set ...