"May the choirs of Angels come to greet you. May they speed you to Paradise. May the lord enfold you in his mercy. May you find eternal life." - Song of Farewell by Ernest Sands. Many things happened in 1908. The first Model T Ford came off the production line. The Wright brothers took passengers on their flights. The ball in Times Square dropped for the first time and Mother's Day was declared an official holiday. Another wonderful thing happened to Charles and Josephine Cangelosi of Baton Rouge: the birth of their second daughter, Chetta. Chetta was born on June 20, 1908 into a world where there was no commercial radio, TV or talking movies, no antibiotics or X-rays, or thousands of things taken for granted every day. Over her 104 ½ years of life, Chetta would see miraculous changes occur almost daily and yet, it was her constant devotion to three things that defined her - her love of her family, education and her Catholic faith. Chetta was the second of seven children reared in the Cangelosi home on Laurel Street in downtown Baton Rouge. She graduated from St. Joseph's Academy in 1926 and was named an Outstanding Alumnae in 2000. After graduation, 'Miss Chetta' began teaching at Sacred Heart School. She was the first lay teacher at Sacred Heart. Miss Chetta always had a ready smile and an open heart for her pupils. She stressed the importance of higher education, learned from her father, and earned her degree from LSU while teaching at Sacred Heart. This accomplishment was a rarity among women, who were only required to complete 11th grade at that time. Thus she served as a role model and teacher for her students. Although Miss Chetta never married, she lived a very active life. She and her sisters would travel to Europe and throughout the USA every summer and were involved in many social events around Baton Rouge. She retired from teaching after 40 years but remained active in several ministries at her Baptismal parish, St. Joseph Cathedral. Miss Chetta walked to daily Mass and school until the age of 40, when she decided she needed to learn to drive. She bought a car she called 'Suzy' and attended driving school. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters and the Secular Order of St. Francis. When a fall while cooking resulted in a broken hip, she chose to go to Ollie Steel Burden Manor so she could continue attending daily Mass. She died at Ollie Steele on March 1, 2013 at 3:06 a.m. with her Rosary in her hands. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Charles and Josephine Cangelosi; her sisters: Lena Cangelosi, Sara Cangelosi Cascio, Rosalie Cangelosi; and her brothers: Rosario (Buster) Cangelosi and Sam Cangelosi. She is survived by her sister, Josie Cangelosi of Ollie Steele Burden Manor, numerous nieces, nephews and relatives. The Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Francis Chapel at Ollie Steele Manor at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, March 4, 2013 followed by burial at Roselawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Joseph Cathedral. Special thank-you to the caring and wonderful staff at Ollie Steele Burden Manor and her sitter, Koneisha Bruce.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
We will miss her and loved her as a great Teacher of all times. Thank you
Ray & Sue Daigle
Family
February 23, 2019
Thanking the Lord for allowing such a wonderful person to walk across our path in life. May God continue to blessed you and keep you in your time of sorrow.
Monica Day McKines
March 4, 2013
Miss Chetta taught me at Sacred Heart in the late 1950's. She was a good teacher and a gracious lady. I will keep her and your family in my prayers.
Mary Vernoy
March 4, 2013
For several years I rented a home from Miss Chetta, Miss Josie, and Miss Rosalie in downtown Baton Rouge. They were all so kind and generous to a broke recent LSU graduate back in the early 1990s. They were all wonderful, and I enjoyed my visits with Miss Chetta. May she rest in peace.
Billy Hebert
March 4, 2013
I was in Miss Chetta's sixth grade class in the late 50's. She was a perfect example of what a teacher should be, a great inspiration to her students. We have a new angel in heaven.
Sandra White Celestin
March 4, 2013
Since she held me as a proxy for my godmother when I was baptized at St. Joseph's in 1938, I called her "Aunt Chetta", even though she was my father's first cousin. Her mother, Aunt Joeshpine was my grandfather's youngest sister and the reason he brought his family to Baton Rouge from Cefalu, Sicily, Italy in 1911. In 1945, I had to call her, "Miss Chetta", since she was my second grade teacher. She was a wonderful, holy lady and will be missed by all of us. May she rest in the peace of The Lord and may Almighty God bless her family always and in all ways.
Dominic Cangelosi
March 3, 2013
The Sacred Heart has lost a true friend,
she did not teach me but I know the name.
Thomas Clements
March 3, 2013
I met Miss Chetta many times while visiting with my friend, Rosalie, Mrs. Sam Cangelosi. She was a very delightfuland sweet person.
Norma Rushing
March 3, 2013
Miss Chetta taught me @ Sacred Heart back in the 50's. We all loved her for her kindness, encouragement, and understanding. The world has lost a very special persson. You are in my prayers.
Pauline LeBlanc Perkins
March 3, 2013
I remember "Miss Chetta" from Sacred Heart. May God bless and keep her.
Bill Huey
March 3, 2013
Ms Chetta was my 6th grade teacher at Sacred Heart School in 1958. She was a strict but marvelous teacher who always had the best interests of her students in mind. I learned a great deal from her. She was a wonderful teacher and a very gracious lady.
March 2, 2013
I remember Miss Chetta very well at Sacred Heart School. I did not have the honor to have her as one of my teachers but do know that she was greatly admired by teachers and students and was a great role model. My thoughts and prayers are with her family as I know she is in heaven surrounded by her former students who have gone before us.
Joseph LeSage
March 2, 2013
(Mr. wall,
Miss Seritta Cangelosi taught at Istroma.
Miss Chetta Cangelosi taught at Sacred Heart.
They were cousins.)
March 2, 2013
Aunt Chetta was a very sweet, kind and generous person, a great cook, a gracious hostess, and a loving aunt. The world is poorer now that she has left it. WE'll miss you!
Sarah Beth Ennis
March 2, 2013
We will miss you, Aunt Chetta!
Margaret Jane Couvillon
March 2, 2013
She was a teacher of mine at Istrouma High in the late 60's. A Jewel
Jimmy Wall
March 2, 2013
To the family,
Ms. Chetta was a most special lady and teacher. Please accept our sympathy at this time.
Nick & Dolores Benedetto
March 2, 2013
We will miss you. My mother talk about you and she also die there in 2009
Love
Ray & Sue Daigle
Raymond Daigle
March 2, 2013
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