Rita Tidwell Aucoin passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Oct. 30, 2013.
She was the loving and devoted wife of Paul Gerard Aucoin and the cherished mother of Shelley Elizabeth Aucoin and Leah Elizabeth Aucoin.
She was born and raised in Birming-ham, Ala., where she attended John Carroll Catholic High School and then Jacksonville State University. She resided in Thibodaux with her family.
She loved to travel the world and was a flight attendant for Delta Airlines, during which time she made many lifelong friends. She was also a member of the Orléans Club in New Orleans and the Thibodaux Music Club. She was passionate about art, music, gardening and rescuing animals. She picked up many stray dogs, giving them a wonderful home, and found homes for many others. She also spent many summers in Cape Code, Mass., studying art under Henry Hensche. She instilled her love of music and art in both of her daughters.
She was also very compassionate towards the sick and elderly and devoted much of her time caring for them.
She has one surviving brother, Owen Lonnie Tidwell Jr. (Esther), and she is also survived by many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Owen Lonnie Tidwell Sr. and Alvina Pharo Tidwell-Vines, and her half-brother Dr. Owen Kline Tidwell (Barbara).
She will be forever missed by her dogs, daughters and husband of 38 years.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Hope for Animals.
Visitation is from 7:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013, at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. The funeral service will follow the next day, Monday, Nov. 4, 2013, with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. and the funeral Mass beginning at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral.