Shirley Ann Morse

Shirley Ann Morse, of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, went to her heavenly home on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at the age of 92. She was born on Monday, June 6, 1932, in Wadesboro, Louisiana, the daughter of the late Bert Albert and Flavia Duplessis Morse.

Shirley is survived by her brother, Charles A. Morse and nieces, Ann Hermanson and her husband, Rocky and Debbie Schuster, and her husband, Greg. She is also survived by a host of cousins and friends.

Shirley attended St Joseph's Catholic School and was a proud 1950 graduate of Ponchatoula High School. She enjoyed her reunions and lunches with her classmates over the years immensely. She graduated from Southeastern University with a degree in teaching and loved telling the story of tuition costing $7.50 per semester. Her professional working career was spent at Louisiana National Bank in Baton Rouge, all the while traveling back to Ponchatoula on her days off to spend time with Grandma. It was no secret to anyone that Ann and Debbie were her pride and joy, and their summer visits were always a highlight. She took great pride in the trips driving them back home. She, Grandma, and two little girls driving cross country back in the 1970's in her Chevy Nova were quite the adventure. She would laugh remembering putting all the snacks in the cooler in the trunk, only for the girls to decide they were hungry five miles down the road. She loved having a notebook in the car and every day of the trip, keeping track of all the different states license plates passed along the way. She would often tell the story of Ann and Debbie going out to the parking lot each morning at the hotels and writing down the license plates there. She made no secret that this was not what the idea of this game was! Aunt Shirl was an accomplished seamstress and crafter and spent countless hours teaching Debbie her craft and passing on her love of sewing. Her one and only pound cakes were always a treat everyone loved being on the receiving end of and she never failed to send Elmer's Easter candy to Ann and Rocky and Debbie and Greg. A trip to Louisiana was never complete without a visit to Coffee Call for beignets. She loved the great big Duplessis family gatherings over the years, especially the New Year's Day celebration, and never missed a one. If there was one constant companion in her entire life, it was her Catholic faith and she attended mass regularly. She was the best sister, Aunt, and family member to so many of us, she loved unconditionally, and we will be forever grateful.

In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her sister, Carolyn M. Bennett and sister-in-law, Laura Morse.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Belle Maison Nursing Home for the kindness always extended to Aunt Shirl and for all the great games of Bingo. Also a thanks to the emergency room staff and acute care unit at North Oaks Medical Center. 

Family and friends will be received at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home - Ponchatoula, 100 W. Magnolia St., Ponchatoula, Louisiana 70454 on Friday, December 20, 2024, from 9:00 am until 11:00 am. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am with Deacon Larry Melancon officiating. 

Interment will follow at Ponchatoula Cemetery in Ponchatoula, Louisiana.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home and Crematory of Hammond and Ponchatoula.