Mary Ann Guarino

Abbeville—A Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Ann Guarino, 93, will be celebrated on Friday, March 24, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Abbeville, Louisiana.  She died peacefully at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at her home after several years of declining health.  Father Louis Richard, pastor of St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, will be the celebrant of the Mass and will conduct the funeral services.  Burial will follow in St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 8:30 a.m. until the time of services on Friday, March 24, in St. Mary Magdalen Church.  A Rosary will be prayed by Deacon Billy Vincent at 9:30 a.m.

Serving as pallbearers will be Nathan Thibodeaux, Jose Montero, Matthew Devenport, Don Frederick, Edward Thibodeaux, and Evan Chaisson.  Diana Frederick and Renée Chaisson will proclaim the Scripture readings.  Cherell and Emile Thibodeaux (Mary Ann’s Godchild) and Natalie Scott will serve as gift bearers.

Mary Ann Guarino was born in Abbeville, Louisiana, on December 27, 1929, as the youngest child of Salvatore “Sam” Guarino and Jennie LaBruzzo Guarino.  She graduated from Abbeville High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Southwestern Louisiana Institute.  She then taught English at Abbeville High School, taught English and was the librarian at Henry High School, became the librarian at Erath High School, and retired after serving as the librarian at Abbeville High School.  For several years she and her sister Rita helped to decorate St. Mary Magdalen Church for Christmas.  She also enjoyed working with the gardener at the church.  Mary Ann used her writing skills often at the schools at which she was employed, and after she retired she wrote several children’s books.  She loved dogs and cared for several, including Charlie, Joe, Tony, and Paisano.  After she and her siblings donated the family blacksmith shop to the City of Abbeville, she served on the board of the Sam Guarino Blacksmith Shop Museum.  She spent much of her time locating and preparing pictures and artifacts and writing most of the articles about the blacksmith shop and the Guarino family for the museum.  She was proud of her Sicilian heritage and of her parents’ accomplishments.

Survivors include her niece, Clevie Thibodeaux of Erath; her niece, Sonia Cahanin of Erath; her nephew, Samuel Thibodeaux, D.V.M., of Erath and his partner, Jose Montero; as well as several cousins.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Anthony “Tony” Guarino and his wife, Enid; her infant sister, Laura Guarino; her sister, Josephine Guarino; her sister, Elizabeth “Bessie” Guarino Thibodeaux and her husband, Cleve; and her sister, Rita Guarino.

The family is grateful to Sylvia Willis, Amekia Hall, and Lorinda Bailey. They were patient, loving, and kind caregivers who made Mary Ann’s last few years comfortable and peaceful.  The family also thanks Kerry Schexnaider, M.D.; the staff of Concepts of Care, especially Julie and Ray; the staff of Hospice of Acadiana, especially Seth, Sheena, and Deacon Dan Dedier; and Father Louis Richard, Father Charles Esuaiko, Deacon Billy Vincent, and Mrs. Marguerite Landry.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Acadiana, St. Mary Magdalen Church, or the Sam Guarino Blacksmith Shop Museum.