Minden, LA

Barbara R. Vella

May 16, 1932-May 6, 2015 Barbara Vella was born in New York City and lived in Manhattan's famous Greenwich Village for over 20 years. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Columbia University and worked in Rockefeller Plaza as a dental hygienist for many years. Her husband's work took them to many locations throughout the country. They lived in Michigan, South Carolina, Canada, Illinois and finally moved to Minden, Louisiana in the mid 80's. She continued to work with three Minden dentists, namely Doctors Ussery, Moore, and Brown. Barbara was very active in St. Paul Catholic Church and held many positions there. She has been an officer in the Ladies Altar Society, the Parish Council and helped as a volunteer in the church office. She enjoyed her ministry as a lector, reading scripture to the congregation during Mass. She was a daily communicant and felt very close to her Lord and Savior. Barbara and her husband, Vincent, celebrated their 57^th wedding anniversary on April 12^th. They have five children and nine grandchildren. The children are: Steven (Lorraine) of Toronto, Canada, David of Alabama, Maria (Vincent) of Indiana, Susan (Daniel) of Orillia, Ontario and John of Pennsylvania. Her siblings are: Elizabeth Fasciana of New Jersey, Joseph (Maureen) Cosenza and Michael (Joan) Cosenza of New York. The word "eternity" is often mentioned in obituaries. But do they really understand it? What it means is that the just are rewarded in heaven for their faithfulness and the others go somewhere else indefinitely. In this case, we believe that Barbara will enjoy perfect happiness in a young, healthy body and will be with Jesus, her parents and other loved ones for a hundred million centuries, and then some. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to some of her favorite charities, namely Covenant House of Chicago, Edmundite Missions of Selma, Alabama and Red Cloud Indian School of South Dakota. The visitation will be held at Rose-Neath Funeral Home from 4 until 8 p.m. with Rosary at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 11, 2015 and Mass will be celebrated at St. Paul Catholic Church on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at 10 a.m. Barbara had planned to attend a ladies religious retreat later on. But when her Lord beckoned to her, she didn't want to keep Him waiting.