Rose Marie Olano Babin

Rose Marie Olano Babin was born in White Castle, Louisiana on October 25, 1929 to Charles David Olano and Lessie Marie Stevens Olano. The oldest of 4 children; she is survived by Charles Joseph “Joe” Olano of Santa Rosa Beach in Florida. Her sister, Florabel Rita Olano Skerrett, and her brother, Ashton Ray Olano, are both deceased. With her husband Herbert L. Babin, Jr. of 64 years, she has 6 children and spouses: Nancy McLemore of Vidalia; Dr. Charles David Babin and his wife Beth of Asheville; Lydia Catherine Babin of Vidalia; Mary Susan Clayton and husband Marc of Arden; John Herbert “Jack” Babin and wife Kathleen of New York City; and, William Stevens Babin and his wife Nui of Denver. Rose has 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren: Jack McLemore, III and his wife Paige and their child, Jack IV of Baton Rouge; and Scott McLemore and his wife Laura and their children, Molly and Natalie of Vidalia; Charles Babin, Jr. and Catherine Babin Manly and her husband James all of Atlanta; Joseph Pall and his son Trenton of Denver; Nicholas Pall of Jacksonville; Matheson Babin and Hugo Babin of New York City; and Naleen Babin of Denver.

            Rose Marie led a fulfilling and beautiful life. She and Herb met in 5th grade when a mutual friend was sent by “Sparky” to ask if she liked him. Alice, Herb’s sister, became her best friend so she (“Bonesy”) was a fixture in the Babin household her whole life. Rose Marie’s family nickname was “Tooky”. She graduated from White Castle High School and then went on to Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge to major in Home Economics. When the money ran out, she was forced to leave school, but she vowed to finish her degree one day. However, getting 6 children through school became her priority.  She worked for Dalton’s Department Store in Baton Rouge and Dr. Tomeny in White Castle.

            Rose Marie began a life of travel after her marriage to Herb on December 27, 1951. They lived in Memphis for a short time and then enjoyed life in Jacksonville with their first child. After being discharged from the Navy, they returned to White Castle then took off for California with two children for sixteen years. Rose Marie gave birth to the younger four children on the West Coast. As all of the children grew up, she was very active at their schools; she volunteered in the school library, chaperoned dances and attended all of their sports and academic events. As many know, Rose Marie’s favorite topic was her children.

In 1971, she moved her family to Alabama and then 3 years later to Maryland. Next, New Jersey then back to Maryland in Columbia. All of these moves were accomplished single-handedly as Herb usually went ahead to start his new position. Rose bought and sold many houses making all comfortable and filled with love for her family.

While living in California, Rose Marie became politically active; her first campaign was working for Ronald Reagan’s gubernatorial run. Then in Maryland, she volunteered and worked with the Republican Party to elect local, state, and national politicians. Along the way she made many like-minded friends. Rose Marie enjoyed all her volunteer work especially at the White House. She was even a delegate to the National Republican Convention one year.

            Rose Marie and Herb returned to Louisiana with retirement in 1995, shedding their nicknames along the way, and moving to Brusly! By this time, she had spread her children all over the country. After Herb died in 2016, Rose Marie decided it was time to downsize and moved to a lovely retirement community in Asheville, NC. She spent the last year of her life enjoying family and new found friends.

Rose Marie touched so many lives during her long life of 88 years. We will always remember her at her granddaughter Cate’s wedding in April 2018 cutting a rug on the dance floor enjoying life with her family. Rose Marie will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be Monday, July 23, 2018 from 10 - 12 with the funeral mass at noon at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Baton Rouge. Rose Marie will be placed with Herb at the Port Hudson National Cemetery on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at 10:00 am. Rose Marie has requested donations to the Wounded Warrior Project in lieu of flowers.

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