Charlene Busceme

Charlene Fertitta Busceme, 87, of Beaumont, died Saturday, June 2, 2018. She was born February 16, 1931, to Josephine and Charles Fertitta.

Charlene dedicated herself and lived her life as a woman, as a wife and especially as a mother in honor of the most perfect Mother, Mary, the Mother of God. She lived her life in complete devotion to God and as a faithful, daily communicant in the Catholic Church. Her faith allowed her to let God show her the direction of her life and she was blessed for her willingness to follow His Word. Her faith shown out so strong that people were drawn to her for a moment in her presence because through her, one could see the love of God.

Charlene was the youngest child of Josie and Charles Fertitta, born a few minutes behind her beloved twin brother, Charlie. The twins had a wonderful childhood but especially when it was time to ride the horses. Some of her most fond memories are of riding her horses with Charlie and her cousins, her long curly locks blowing in the wind.

She met Carlo Busceme, Jr. at St. Anthony High School and began a love story that has spanned 67 years of marriage with four children, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She loved to have all her family together for any occasion and for just supper any given night. Her home was always open to family, friends, and any stragglers her children and grandchildren dragged in!

All were welcome. And that is the way she greeted you. Charlene loved and accepted everyone as the child of God she believed you to be. She was nonjudgmental and open-minded. She believed that you should live your life being true to yourself and right with God. If you had these things then you could be happy. She applied this to her children, her grandchildren, her extended family and her friends. But, of course, this never stopped her from praying for you and her prayer list was long.

Being a wife and mother was her vocation, but volunteering was her profession. As her children made their way through St. Anne Catholic School, she was the constant room mother, driver on field trips and to games, fundraiser, and committee member. When they moved on to Msgr. Kelly Catholic High School, she and Carlo both worked hard on fundraising, supporters of athletics and the K-dettes, and anywhere else she was needed. She was honored for her efforts by being named the Distinguished Alum of St. Anne Catholic School and later, with Carlo, as the Distinguished Alums of Msgr. Kelly Catholic High School.

After the children were grown, Charlene volunteered at the Some Other Place Soup Kitchen. With the St. Anne Ladies, she served as President and was honored as the Volunteer of the Year for her many years of service to the organization. She served on the St. Anne Parish Council and was the first woman to serve as chairperson. But her most cherished volunteer position was the many years she spent as the sacristan of St. Anne Catholic Church.

Charlene and Carlo were honored by being inducted into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre which is the highest honor bestowed on a lay Catholic by the Church. She organized and was a part of pilgrimages to Medjugorje twice and to the Holy Land.

Charlene is survived by her devoted, loving husband, Carlo; her sons, Anthony Busceme, Sr. and his wife, Karie and Gregory Busceme, Sr. and his wife, Sheila; her daughter, JoRita Lyle and her husband, Steve; her grandchildren, Carmen Busceme and her wife, Desiree Guillory, of Houston, TX; Anthony Busceme, Jr. and his wife, Tricia, of DeQuincy, LA; Carla Busceme of Golden, CO; Gregory Busceme, Jr. and his wife, Jessica; Carlo Busceme IV and his wife, Larena; Michael Lyle of Los Angeles, CA; and Olivia Busceme; and great-grandchildren, Austin Busceme, Charlize Busceme, Gregory Busceme III, and Benjamin Busceme; her sister-in law, Nancy Fertitta; and her many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her son, Carlo Busceme III; her parents; and her siblings, Joseph “Pep” Fertitta; Marietta Fertitta; Olivia Serio and her husband, Joseph; Sr. Jo Rita Fertitta, O.P.; Charles Fertitta, Jr. and his wife, Rose Ann.

Charlene was blessed to be lovingly attended for several years by her companion, Katherine Veazey. In the last several months of her life, Katherine was joined by Claudia Pena, Myra Hockless, Elizabeth Alvarez, and Deborah Aguirre in attending to all her needs. And a special thank you to Cindy Luquette for her energy and service for many years. Charlene’s family is so very grateful for the tireless devotion of these ladies in making her life so much easier. Thank you is not big enough. And a very heartfelt thank you to Denise Gilmore, Kristen Wilson and all the staff of Kindred Hospice for making a difficult journey one of dignity and ease.

A gathering of Mrs. Busceme’s family and friends will begin at 4:00 p.m., with her Rosary recited at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with her interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Art Studio, Inc., 720 Franklin Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701; St. Anne Catholic Church, P.O. Box 3429, Beaumont, Texas 77704; St. Anne Catholic School, 375 North 11th Street, Beaumont, Texas 77702; or to Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School, 5950 Kelly Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77707.