Evelyn M. Leal

Evelyn Marie Laneuville Leal, of Burtsonsville, formerly of Columbia, died Aug. 11, 2008, of complications from a stroke, at Holy Cross Nursing and Rehabilitation, in Burtonsville. She was 87.

Born Aug. 12, 1920, in New Orleans to Alexander and Marie Vigne Laneuville, she graduated from McDonough 35 High School, in New Orleans, in 1937.

She married Jules John Leal Jr. in 1941.

Mrs. Leal worked in clerical and managerial positions in New Orleans in the French Quarter for The Doll House Shoppe for at least 10 years; Four Seasons Patisiere for more than 30 years; and Barnett Optical Co., also for more than 30 years.

She lived in New Orleans until Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005.

Family members recall that she and her husband were beautiful dancers who loved music. Mrs. Leal and her husband also were both "cradle" Catholics and fourth-generation New Orleanians. Her grandfather, Jean Vigne, was one of the original jazz musicians in New Orleans, where he performed as a drummer. In addition, several of her uncles were jazz musicians at the turn of the century.

She was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Jules, who died in 2005; and her parents, Alexander and Marie Vigne Laneuville.

Mrs. Leal is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Dr. Carol Ann Leal, of Columbia and Janice Theresa and Douglas Lennard, of Rancho Mirage, Calif.; a stepdaughter, Diane Flaggs, of Toledo, Ohio; a grandson, Jules Douglas Laneuville Leal, of Dublin, Ireland; four stepgrandchildren, Gary Flaggs, Tammy Flaggs, Moreatha Flaggs and Veronica Flaggs; four stepgreat-grandchildren; and one stepgreat-great grandchild.

A memorial mass was held Aug. 16, 2008, at St. John Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Columbia.

A private interment will follow in New Orleans at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to Grass Roots Crisis Intervention Center Inc., 6700 Freetown Road, Columbia, MD 21044. The funds will honor her memory as well as those of victims of Hurricane Katrina.

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