Rita Dion

Name: Rita Duthu Dion, 62 a native of Dulac and a resident of Bourg, died April 25, 2009. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Chauvin Funeral Home and on Wednesday, and on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. until service time at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burialwill be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, with burial in the church cemetery. She is survived by her Loving husband, Howard Dion, Caring Mother of son, Wesley and daughter Carmelitte and "grandpuppy" Ozzie. Sisters, Mae Smith, Nora Fitch, Libby Brunet and Rose Christen and brothers, Emile Duthu, C.J. Duthu, Raymond Duthu, Houston Duthu, Myron Duthu and Kevin Christen She is preceded in death by, her parents, Rosemary Fazzio Duthu and Luke Duthu, brothers, Joseph Duthu and infant brother, Roland Duthu, one infant sister, Beverly Duthu and a nephew, Luke Brunet. She was employed as a bookkeeper at Global Energy Warehouse, Inc. She was a parishioner of Holy Rosary Catholic Church where she began as a Lector and Eucahristic Minister. She also started, along with Janet Bergeron and Eurlie Willims, the Youth Ministry at Holy Rosary. In 1989, her best friend Vickie Chaisson joined the ministry, and together they gave their time and wisdom to the young people of the parish. Vicky is Rita's closest and dearest friend and has selflessly given of herself as a caregiver to Rita during her illness over the last 20 years. She played a primary role in the history of integration of Terrebonne Parish Schools, being the first Native American woman to attend and graduate from previously all-white South Terrebonne High School in 1965. Howard and Rita were also active in the fight for Native American civil rights, helping to organize the Houma Alliance in the mid-seventies. Their efforts led to state recognition of the United Houma Nation in 1977. Rita will be sadly missed by her family and many friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Louis Infant Center.