Margaret Emilie Defourneaux Van Haelen's Obituary
Margaret Emilie Defourneaux Van Haelen passed away on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. She was born in New Orleans, LA on October 17, 1943.
In 1961, Margaret married her beloved Arnold Van Haelen and together they had four children, Lisa “Doody” Crain (Al), Josh Van Haelen (Mary), Melissa Richardson
(Tommy), and Jason Van Haelen (Shawn). She will be dearly missed by her twelve grandchildren: Jonathan (Carrie), Katie (Matt), Benjamin (Sarah), Christopher (Katie), Matthew (Milky), Emily (Luke), Caroline (Brendan), Daniel (McKenna), Zachary (Natalie), Hunter (Brenna), Fletcher, and Marley and seventeen great grandchildren: Caleb, Aiden, Emmett, Hailey, Mason, Lucas, Lucy, Maelynn, Brennan, Lillygrace, Blake, Jackson, Camille, Miles, Beau and Lily.
She was preceded in death by her husband Arnold Van Haelen, her parents Gladys Von Hoven Defourneaux and Robert Patrick Defourneaux.
On October 17, 1943, Margaret and her twin sister Emilie were born in New Orleans, welcomed by their parents and older siblings Bobby, Carole and Jeannette. She attended St. Agnes School and Holy Angels Academy. After graduation she and Arnold married and moved to Norfolk, VA while Arnold was serving in the US Navy. After moving back to Louisiana, they welcomed their four children. There was always a hot meal waiting every night for family dinner. Margaret had a career in the banking and mortgage industry for many years. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends most of all. The Van Haelens relocated to Covington and made El Perdido Ranch their home. Most family gatherings and holidays were celebrated at the ranch, always with an abundance of delicious food and lots of laughter. Many happy memories were made for all. Margaret loved being a wife, mom and Maw Maw! She enjoyed many trips to Disney World as well as Italy, North Dakota, Idaho, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, and North Carolina with kids and grandkids and sometimes great grands. Margaret was an avid game player, always ready for a challenge. Scrabble, Dominoes, the Dice game, Nickels and any kind of card game out there.
She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mrs. Margaret Van Haelen may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital (stjude.org).
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W 21st Avenue, Covington LA 70433 on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 2:00 PM with visitation beginning at 12:00 PM. Interment will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens. All friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Margaret’s Life at the Courtyard Marriott Covington starting at 3:30 pm.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. The Van Haelen family invites you to share thoughts, fondest memories, and condolences online at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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