Estelle Papania

Estelle Rita Poirrier Papania, age 79, of Gulfport, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on December 8, 2018.
She was preceded in death by a son, Kevin Michael Papania; and her parents, Septime Poirrier and Mary Navarro Poirrier.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Bernard John Papania Sr.; her children, Cheryl Ann Fricke (Darryl), Karin Marie Caswell (Bill), Father Bernard John Papania Jr., and Leonard Joseph Papania (Angela); her siblings, Alice Ann (Meryl)Broussard, Rosemary Poirrier, Ruby (Harry) Ory, Marion (Robert) White, Septime (Doris) Poirrier, Micheal Poirrier, John Edwin (Cathy) Poirrier, Frankie (Roxie) Poirrier; her 10 grandchildren, Michael Griffin, Christine (Joe) Lemus, Jeremy (Cora) Griffin, Jessica Griffin, Estelle Caswell, Brent Caswell, James (Emily) Papania, Nicholas Papania, Bennett Papania, and Rosemary Papania; twelve great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Mrs. Papania was a native of New Orleans and has lived in Gulfport for many years.  She was a graduate of Mercy Academy and Loyola University, both in New Orleans, and was employed as a teacher at St. John Elementary and Central Elementary in Gulfport. Estelle was a faithful member of St. John the Evangelist Parish where she served as a Catechist Instructor since she was in 8 ^th Grade, worked as an instructor with RCIA, and served in many other capacities in the church.  She was awarded with the Lumen Christi Award from the Diocese of Biloxi for her dedication and work in St. John the Evangelist Parish.  She enjoyed cooking, gardening, parenting and grand parenting and she could cook anything, she befriended everyone, and had faith that could move mountains.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 12, 2018, from 5 pm - 8 pm at the RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport.  Visitation will also be on Thursday, December 13, 2018, from 10 am - 12 pm at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Gulfport.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 pm in the church.  Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Gulfport.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be snet to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 2414 17th Street, Gulfport, MS 39501
An online guestbook may be signed and condolences offered at www.riemannfamily.com