Tales from the time machine - A senior spotlight

Claire Schmidtalife-longresident of Ascension Parish, was born in New Orleans on Aug. 6, 1919.

She moved backtoher family's homestead with her mother and siblings attheageofthree after her father was disabled. Claire was the youngest of three children. She hasalways beena lively, active person withagreat desire tolearn.Asa young girl, Claire learnedto play Bridge bywatching her aunts play onSunday afternoons. Shestillisan avid player, who wins often.

After graduating from the Dutchtown schools,she decided tobecomea teacher. Claire studied hard, and became anelementary school reading teacher; eventually earning aMaster's+ 30 degree fromLSU, asa reading education specialist.

Her otherhobbies include playing the piano, dancing, and gardening.She was a piano accompanist at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, and an accompanist for school plays and programs formany yearsas a teacher in Dutchtown. Shealso taught piano lessons,and was proud of her students asshe watched them excel in their musical endeavors.

Claire's family included along list of family members who were also in the teaching profession. They included her mother, Celanie Pellerin, sister Mildred Mae Pellerin, Superintendent LarryBabin,Wickliff Babin, who taught Agriculture at LSU, Andrew Babin, French and History, Noelle Wilkins, Celine Babin, and Nita Babin who taught voice and piano. Her grandson, Brenden Simoneaux, taught scienceatEast Ascension high for ten years, and hastaught at Dutchtown High forthe past eleven years.

Clairehas three additional grandchildren who are employed in the chemical industry in the area;Ron Paul Simoneaux, Blaine David Simoneaux, and Christine Didier - and she has seven great-grandchildren.

She resides atMagnolia Assisted Living in Gonzales.