KISATCHIE, LA
May 15, 1952-Nov. 6, 2017
Funeral service for Mrs. Renee Ann (Rybiski) Dowden were at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10 at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home with Bro. Steve McAlister officiating. Burial followed at Kisatchie Cemetery in Kisatchie.
Renee, 65, and a resident of Kisatchie, passed away Monday, Nov. 6, 2017. She was born May 15, 1952, to Gertrude (Mensman) Rybiski and Carroll Rybiski Sr. in Morgan City. Renee was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Carroll Rybiski Jr.
She was a graduate of Patterson High School and received her Bachelor’s degree from USL in Lafayette. She later earned her Master’s degree from LSU in 1976 and was a registered dietician. For many years she was the food service superintendent for Lafayette Parish School System and retired in 2000. Renee was an extraordinarily talented artist and photographer; she enjoyed needle stitch in her free time as well. Of all her life achievements, being a loving wife and a wonderful mother was what brought her the greatest joy. Spending time with her family was the most important part of her life and she will be dearly missed by everyone that knew her.
She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Stephen Dowden; son, Jacob Dowden, M.D. and wife Libby; daughter, Sarah Dowden Schroeder and husband Michael and their son, Lukas; step-sons, Grant Dowden and wife Kayla, Chris Dowden and wife Joy and Blake Dowden; step-grandchildren, Hunter Dowden, Harlea Teekell, Victoria Dowden and Georgia Dowden; and her mother-in-law, Corinne Dowden.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers included Grant Dowden, Chris Dowden, Blake Dowden, Hunter Dowden, Richard Deason and Paul Chance.
Honorary pallbearer was Joseph Dowden.
We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the entire staff at Hospice of Leesville for their compassionate care for over two years.
