Evelyn Hebert Leblanc

Abbeville—Evelyn Marie Hebert LeBlanc departed this earth March 16, 2024, at the age of 98 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Evelyn was born in Abbeville on August 14, 1925. She was the last remaining sibling among 10 children born of Odile Amanda Lacasse Hebert and Henry Sylvester Hebert, Sr.  Evelyn’s grandmother, Amanda Odile LaForest LaCasse moved to Abbeville with her brother, Reverend Fabian LaForest from Joliette, Quebec, Canada following the death of her husband, Joseph Narcisse LaCasse, where they lived in the Rectory of the Catholic Church Father LaForest was rebuilding. Evelyn’s nine siblings who preceded her in death were Henry S. Hebert, Jr., Albertine “Tite Soeur” Sims, Alice Gordon, Marguerite “Meg” Broussard, Alfred J. Hebert, Robert J. Hebert, Yvonne deGraauw, Helen Pearson and Charles “Buddy” Hebert.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, attorney Edward Faisans LeBlanc, Sr. a gifted musician, artist and attorney of Abbeville, Louisiana. She is survived by their four children: Linda Margaret LeBlanc Osborne (Jerry), Edward Faisans LeBlanc, Jr., Michelle Simonette LeBlanc Fine (David), and Lisa Anne LeBlanc-Berry. She later also adopted another daughter, Sister Mary Evelyn Mire, O’Carm.

Evelyn loved to proudly share news of her devoted grandchildren: Kenneth Edward Purcell, (MaryAnne), Zachary Sewell Fine, Simonette LeBlanc Berry, (David Whatley and son, Simon), and Evelyn’s personal angel, the late Ariel LaForet Berry, and she adored her four great-grandchildren: Pierce, Leo, Finn and Kenan Purcell.

After attending SLI college, on the occasion of her 20th birthday, a patriotic young Evelyn readily volunteered for service in the United States Naval Women’s Reserve (the WAVES). One day after her birthday, on August 15, 1945, Japanese Emperor Hirohito announced the surrender of Japan. The day she was sworn into the WAVES the news of the surrender swept through Canal Street and on September 2, 1945, the Japanese dignitaries and General MacArthur signed the surrender aboard the USS Missouri.  Evelyn earned an Honorable Discharge and then returned to Acadiana to work for Standard Oil & Gas Company in Lafayette.

A devout Catholic, Evelyn married Ed at St. John’s Cathedral in Lafayette on December 22, 1945. The newlyweds traveled extensively including adventures throughout South America and Cuba as political “good will ambassadors." The young couple then settled into domestic bliss in Abbeville where Ed continued his law practice.

Following her husband’s sudden death in 1969, the young widow served as a deputy in the Vermilion Parish Clerk of Court’s office. She simultaneously cultivated her talent for oil painting and created an extensive collection that remains treasured by family and friends.

In 1985, at the age of 60, she launched her praline company, “Evelyn’s Pralines” with the assistance of her dear friend, “JB” Broussard who was beloved by Evelyn’s children. Shortly thereafter, her pralines were featured in Time Magazine, People Magazine, the Washington Post, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Houston Chronicle, Houston Post, United Airlines’ Vis a Vis and The Art of Food magazines. She was also featured in various mail-order books including the McIlhenny’s Tabasco Country Store and Community Coffee catalogs.

Media reviews continued until her retirement: “Evelyn LeBlanc makes buttery rich pralines with a cult following,”(Miami Herald); “I’ve tasted pralines for years and I’ve never tasted any that came close to the indecently rich, creamy, nutty flavor of the mammoth pralines by Evelyn,” (Dallas Times Herald); “The best pralines I have ever tasted anywhere,” (People Magazine); and “There was blood in the halls as everyone fought for a second helping,” (CBS News).

Her closely guarded original recipe, unadulterated with additives, yielded ultra-creamy pecan-rich pralines, which became a prized Christmas holiday treat. Evelyn resisted generous offers for the purchase and partnering of her praline company. Never relenting, with an unwavering devotion to retaining the “hand-made” quality of her perfectionist confection, she became known as “The Praline Lady.”

At age 89, Evelyn’s thoughtful son, Eddie, gifted her with her first set of watercolors.  Evelyn quickly mastered this new medium, emerging at age 90 a self-taught, accomplished watercolorist whose initial art opening was widely praised.

Until her final days, Evelyn’s keen interest in politics, art, sports (as a huge Saints fan), her sharp wit, sense of humor and zest for living captivated all who knew her. She was the beloved family matriarch and will be dearly missed by all those who were lucky enough to have known such a creative, talented and endearing soul. The family wants to extend thanks to her primary caregiver, Carolyn Williams, for her dedication, attention and love of Evelyn during her last months, and to Eddie Robinson upon whom she relied for errands and transportation.

The Celebration of Life for Evelyn will be held on Friday April 5, 2024 in Abbeville. Visitation will begin 12:00 noon at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church followed by a rosary at 1:30 PM and a Holy Mass, celebrated by Father Danny Picard, at 2:00 PM. She will be laid to rest at St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery 410 Old Kaplan Hwy Abbeville, LA 70510 as she returns to her beloved Abbeville.