Theresa "Ellen" Babin

Theresa Ellen Babin passed away at 9:47 a.m. on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at her home in Montegut, Louisiana.   She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Montegut, La.  She was born on April 26, 1945, the second of fifteen children born to Anna Marie Engels Babin and Thomas D. Babin, Sr. 

Ellen graduated in 1963 from Redemptorist High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  Upon graduation, she entered the convent to become a School Sister of Notre Dame SSND.  She lived in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for several years as she completed the process to become a nun.  Ellen was a member of SSND for 23 years as a teacher/administrator at schools in San Antonio, Chalmette and New Orleans.  Her final location was at Mac Donnel United Methodist Children’s Services in Houma.  During this time, Ellen made the difficult decision to leave the convent.  She continued to work with the children in this home through the Terrebonne Parish School System.  In 1987, she and her close friend Janet Buescher, built a home in Montegut, Louisiana. 

Although Ellen left Mac Donnel United Methodist Children’s Services to work full-time for Terrebonne Parish, she never cut ties with the home.  She continued her work as a teacher and treatment specialist to hospitalized and home-bound children in need of special care throughout the parish.  She saved so many children through the home-bound services she provided.  She helped so many of these children that would have fallen through the cracks of the system.  She was a dedicated teacher, loving all of those that she taught.

Ellen touched so many lives in and around her community.  She was a hard worker, a funny person, always had a smile on her face as she whistled.  She was always willing to help anyone in need.

Ellen is survived close friend of 48 years, Janet Buescher. She is survived by her honorary children, Sarah Wark (Keith), Hilda Graham (Bill), Henrietta Percle (Lynn), Jeri Marcel (Ray ) and Paul Buras, as well as 13 grandchildren.  She is also survived by nine sisters Cherie Babin Brown; Jeanne Babin; Melanie Babin Sullivan (Pat) and Adrienne Babin Riddle (David) all of Baker, La.; Janice Babin Browning (Wayne) of Greenwell Springs, La.; Michelle Babin Ory (Albert) of Ethel, La.; Anna Marie Babin Laurent (Chad) of Zwolle, La.; DeEtte Babin Staid of St. Francisville, La.; Kathy Babin Trivette (Tom) of Baton Rouge, La.  She is survived by three brother, John Barry Babin (Rita) and Charles Errol Babin (Jane), both of Baker, La.; and Kenneth Babin of Pride, La.  She is also survived by three aunts, Betty Babin (Uncle Warren), Shirley Engels (Marionneaux Engels) and Beverly Engels (Henry Engels), numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and cousins.

Ellen was preceded is death by her parents, Thomas D. and Anna Marie Engels Babin; two brothers, Thomas D. Babin, Jr. and Paul Ray Babin; a brother-in-law Charlie L. Brown, a nephew Kevin Babin, a niece RitaAnne Babin McDaniel, a great-nephew Chevy King; paternal grandparents Thomas E. and Elosia Mae Babin; maternal grandparents Joseph Arthur and Myrtis Marionneaux Engels, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Visitation will be at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 14040 Greenwell Springs Road, Central, La. 70739 on Monday, November 27, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m.  Inurnment to follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory in the Garden of Remembrance Columbarium.  A memorial mass with be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Montegut, La. at a later date.

The family would like to thank the staff of Home Instead for their love and dedicated care of Ellen over the past year, in particular Veronica “Roni”, Tressie, Nicki and Donna.  Their loving care of Ellen made her final months easier on her and her family.  The family also wants to thank St. Joseph’s Hospice for their care and assistance in her final months.