Althea Memory Wildgen's Obituary
Althea Reader Memory Wildgen passed away on the afternoon of December 17, 2012 at the age of 93 in the presence of her family at Pontchartrain Health Care Center in Mandeville, LA. Althea was born on October 29, 1919 to the late Edward Memory and the late Clamorous Loustalot.
A lifelong resident of Mandeville, Althea was one of Mandeville’s original telephone switchboard operators in the pre-World War II era, worked for Higgins Industries during World War II which manufactured the famous Higgins boat, and worked for Prestressed Concrete Products which manufactured the structural components of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge during the 1950s and 1960s. She served as a Mandeville public official as both City Councilwoman and Justice of the Peace. She was also a hairstylist, talented artist, and world traveler. A devout Catholic and dedicated parishioner of Our Lady of the Lake Church, she was also a member of the Mandeville Boating Association.
Althea is survived by her son Lloyd Thompson Jr. and his life companion Mary Daigle; her grandson Joshua Thompson and his wife Valerie Fontenot Thompson; her great granddaughter Leah Thompson and half sister Mary Donaldson. She was preceded in death by her grandmother Cecilia Strain; her aunt, Ovida Loustalot; her first husband Lloyd Thompson and second husband Vick Wildgen; her grandson Lloyd Thompson III and her half siblings, Ester Anderson and Edward Memory. Althea was a woman before her time and had a generous heart. She valued her career and independence, and it was well-known that she was involved in politics both as an elected official as well as a volunteer at the election polls. In addition to her diverse interests and talents, Althea also took every opportunity to help and care for others. She helped a countless number of people in her life, from family and friends to strangers, caring for many of them in her own home in their time of need. Althea lived a long and full life, and will be missed greatly by many.
In accordance with Althea’s wishes, the family gathered together for a private memorial service with interment at the Mandeville Cemetery.
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