Louise F. LaBrant

Our truly blessed mother, Louise Silva LaBrant, peacefully passed away on January 6,2012. She was 100 and lived a long, healthy life, managing to avoid doctors until she broke her femur at the age of 90. Louise was a strong, determined and independent woman, who lived her life to its fullest. Louise was born on March 27, 1911 in Los Angeles, CA, to Timoteo and Eva Fernandez. She was predeceased by four of her siblings and is survived by her sister Rosie Villa and brother Fidel Diaz. Louise married Israel Silva who predeceased her in1950. Louise and Israel had seven wonderful children: Sally Carralejo Gusman, Richard Silva, Helen Acosta, Barbara Guillen, Mary Anne Ellenberger, David Silva and Yolanda Evans. She was predeceased by two of her children Mary Anne Ellenberger and David Silva. In the early 1960's she married Mel LaBrant who has since predeceased her. She is survived by 18 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and 13great great grandchildren. She enjoyed The Lawrence Welk Show, the long running weekly musical program that brought "champagne music", into her home each Saturday night during the mid 1960's. She would often host her grandchildren for a sleepover and when the music started she and her grandchildren would dance along with the Lawrence Welk dancers. All the while, she would be wearing her favorite ballet slippers and loaning an extra pair to her granddaughters to wear. Louise was a very social person who loved to entertain family and friends. Being involved with the Fraternal Order of Eagles, she served on many committees and took part in many of the installations as an officer. Louise loved to garden from spring to fall. Her yard was her paradise where she enjoyed tending to a variety of flowers, trees, shrubs and vegetables. Her garden was always well manicured and contained one of the richest collections of roses. She knew each rose bush by name and took great pride in their care. She was known to give bulbs or clippings from her garden to friends and family, and some of those clippings are still thriving today. Louise loved to be surrounded by her large family. She always appreciated the gift of laughter, which she shared with her family. She loved to play cards and she played to win. She enjoyed cooking and will always be remembered by her family as a generous and thoughtful person, who always made time for others. Louise's relaxed spirit and unbounded cheerfulness will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, a donation in her name can be made to Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care.

Louise F. LaBrant

March 27, 1911 - January 6, 2012