Renee Ann Rybiski Dowden

Funeral service for Mrs. Renee Ann (Rybiski) Dowden will be at 10 am Friday, November 10, 2017, at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home with Bro. Steve McAlister officiating. Burial will follow at Kisatchie Cemetery in Kisatchie, LA. The family will receive friends from 5 pm until 8 pm on Thursday, November 9, 2017, at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home. A Rosary service will be held at 7 pm on Thursday in the funeral home chapel. Renee, 65 years of age and a resident of Kisatchie, passed away Monday, November 6, 2017. She was born May 15, 1952, to Gertrude (Mensman) Rybiski and Carroll Rybiski, Sr. in Morgan City, LA. 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, LA. 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; a son, Jacob Dowden, M.D. (Libby); a daughter, Sarah Dowden (Michael Schroeder) and their son, Lukas; step-sons, Grant Dowden (Kayla), Chris Dowden (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 include Grant Dowden, Chris Dowden, Blake Dowden, Hunter Dowden, Richard Deason and Paul Chance. Honorary pallbearer will be 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.