Margaret Elizabeth "Bettee" Rosenberg Derbes passed away peacefully, meeting her Lord and Savior, on Monday, January 27, 2003, at her daughter's home in Dallas, Texas, where she has been living since the fall of 1998.

Bettee having lived most of her live in Eunice, La., was born June 20, 1914, to her mother, Gertrude DuBose Rosenberg and father Sam Rosenberg in Bayou Current, La. There she was raised on a farm on the Atchafalaya River, by her mother and three aunts, Mary Elvira Gordon (Aunt Bly), Mary Scott Gordon (Mere Mere) and Sarah Jane Calvina Gordon (Cap) and the Gordon family.

Bettee attended Southwestern Louisiana Institute, graduating in 1935, taught school in Pine Prairie, La., for two years, before meeting her love, Fernand Eugene Derbes of Eunice. They married in Opelousas, La., on September 3, 1937, and resided in Crowley, and there she had two children, George Joseph Derbes and Margaret Elizabeth Derbes Jackson. From the 1940's through 1970's, Bettee's life was filled with.... her Faith, her Ferdie, her Family and her Friends. She experienced a rich life filled with love, faith and friendship.

In the 1960's, she shared her love of cooking, and thru the encouragement of her friends, and under the direction of Father Jules Jeanmard, she established the St. Edmunds High School Cafeteria. She always felt that her job was not work, only a pleasurable experience of love. For 22 years, hundreds of Eunice school kids were blessed with her and her ladies' wonderful home cooking, including her personal touches of freshly baked breads and hot biscuits for the teachers every morning. In the 1968-69, Bettee was recognized as Manager of the Year by the Catholic Diocese of Lafayette and continued for many years thereafter, helping set the standard for cafeteria management in the area.

Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a major joy of her life.

She is survived by son, George Joseph Derbes, wife Jamice of Basile, a granddaughter, Michael Stang and husband Tom, and great-grandchildren Brandon, Stephanie and Michael. She will be missed by her daughter Margaret Elizabeth Jackson and husband Rowland of Dallas, her grandchildren Stuart Jackson and wife Liz, and Garrett Jackson and wife Sarah, and her great-grandchildren Tyler and Grant. Bettee was loved and cared for by all her close friends and relatives in Eunice including nephew Cookie Derbes, and his son Dr. Charlie Derbes and wife Kathleen, the late Gus Rosenberg, Pattie and Ray Morrow, and Wanda Fontenot Derbes of Lafayette.

Our loving thanks to Visiting Nurses Association, Hospice, for such compassionate care and support. Thanks to all her beloved friends, who throughout her life and especially in the last four years, supported and sustained her with cards, phone calls, prayers and presence. She was so grateful for and felt blessed by all of you.

The family will receive friends at the Quirk & Son Funeral Home, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today (Wednesday, January 29, 2003) at 121 S. 6th St., Eunice, La. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 30, 2003, at the First United Methodist Church, 501 S. 5th St., Eunice, La. Interment to follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, E. Highway 190, St. Landry Parish, Eunice, La. Following the burial service, the family would love to receive friends at the Seale Guest House, 123 Seale Lane, Eunice, La. 70535, (337) 457-3753.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to VNA Hospice Care, 1440 W. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, TX 75247 or First United Methodist Church, 501 S. 5th St., Eunice, La. 70535.

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