ROBERT H. BURNS

AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY UNIT 16

COVINGTON, LOUISIANA

 "OUR LOUISIANA ANGEL IN ACTION"

Patricia Ann O’Shaughnessy Lacroix

Born:  August 20, 1929

Deceased:  March 24, 2003  

"There is a life above, and all that life is love."

Patricia "Pat" Lacroix, loving and dedicated mother of eight children, eleven grandchildren, and four great grandchildren, she called them her “gems."  Her family was extremely generous to share her with our American Legion Family. 

Pat was the backbone of her unit, one who everyone knew they could depend on and did.  She was dedicated to the American Legion Auxiliary and Auxiliary Programs.  She was the driving force behind all chairmanships fulfilling their responsibilities of writing the reports and submitting them on time.  She was membership chairman for many years and she was always determined to reach quota early and she succeeded.

Pat was dedicated to her many positions in the Auxiliary, and she held every office within her Unit 16.  She served as President for seven terms.  She served as 6th District President for one term.  She published the Unit’s monthly newsletter for many years.  As Public Relations Chairman, she maintained close relationships with the editors of three local newspapers who published eighty or more of our auxiliary’s articles with photos each year.  She served in this capacity for seven years.  She wanted things done correct and never settled for less than the best.

She was meticulous in preparing her Public Relations Scrap Books and won in the National Southern Division six times and was the first recipient ever to receive the “Magical Dreams Award,” National President's Award of Excellence, For Excellence in Public Relations Programs presented at the National Convention August 2002.

Nearest to Pat’s heart was the Girls State Program, which she chaired for twenty-three years, from 1979 to 2002.  This angel’s touch could still be felt this year.  Unit 16 of the 6th District came through with a Governor for the first time Katie Sciortino, a junior member of our unit.  Both family and friends feel Pat’s presence every day.

She epitomized what was good and worth fighting for; she made good and lasting friendships; she overcame adversity; she led courageously and stood fast in her beliefs.

Unit, District, Department and even National have felt the presence and mark of our Louisiana Angel, Patricia Lacroix.

This biography was written by Carol Johansen, Past 6^th District President/Past Unit 16 President.