He can turn the tides and calm the angry sea.

He alone decides who writes the symphony.

He lights every star that makes our darkness bright.

He keeps watch through each dark and lonely night.

He still finds the time to hear a child's first prayer.

Saint or sinner call and always find him there.

Though it makes him sad to see the way we live, He'll always say . . . I forgive.

– "He", by Richard Mullan

Mary Swords Sullivan left this earthly realm on May 7, 2023, after a tough battle with various illnesses. She was 77 years old.

Mary was born September 2, 1945, in DeQuincy, Louisiana. She had the most loving and wonderful parents, Viviene and O.W. Swords of Kinder, Louisiana. She was an only child but grew up surrounded by lots of loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. She embraced life in the small farming town of Kinder, where she showed sheep in 4-H, rode horses, and managed to be Homecoming Queen in high school. She left the small town for college at St. Mary's Dominican in New Orleans where she would eventually meet her future husband and father of her three beloved children.

Mary was known as Mama to her three children, David, Susan, and Michael. She was Ms. Mary to her in-laws, Sarah, Gregg, and Sheena. And perhaps most importantly of all, she was known as GrandMary to her precious grandchildren, William & Matthew (David & Sarah), Olivia, Joe, and Audrey (Susan and Gregg), and Bailey, Cole, and Drew (Michael & Sheena). One of her spiritual gifts is excess, and this was most notably expressed in the way she lavished her love and affections on her grandchildren. (She had a few dogs that received quite a bit of pampering, as well.)

Mary was a gifted seamstress, artist, and creator of whatever her imagination could muster. She loved to use these gifts to help others, too. There are countless homes that have been beautified by her drapery, linens, and pillows. Oh, the pillows!!! Mary was incredibly intelligent, well-read and had a photographic memory (never a good idea to compete with her in Trivial Pursuit!). She had a quick wit, but always had a cavernous tender heart for the underdog.

The most important thing about Mary's life was that she loved the Lord with all her heart, soul, and strength. The hymn above was one of her favorites. Let it be a comfort to know that she is now in the presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ, and all who believe in Him will be together with her again.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary's memory to Catholic Charities of Acadiana, info@catholiccharitiesacadiana.org, P.O. Box 3177, Lafayette, LA 70502, (337) 235-70502.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 12 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of Kinder. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church on Friday, May 12, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be held immediately after the service at Carter Cemetery under the direction of Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes.

Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.ardoinfuneralhome.com and on Facebook-Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes.