Ms. Marie Servino Bergeron

Ms. Marie Servino Bergeron, 75, a native of Memphis, Tenn., and a resident of Thibodaux, La., died Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Anna Allain Bergeron; granddaughter, Lauren (Matthew) Lynch; grandson, Mark (Ashley) LeMaire; and three great-grandchildren, Anna Kate, Noah, and Charlotte Lynch

She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil J. Bergeron; son Cecil J. Bergeron Jr.; parents Charlie and Callie Servino; and brother John Servino.

She was born August 12, 1934 in Memphis, Tenn., to Italian immigrants. As a young child, she listened to the radio while information was given during World War II, and it was then that she decided she would be in radio when she grew up. After graduating from Sacred Heart High School, she attended the School of Radio and Television Broadcasting in Memphis. In November 1954 she was hired as a “Girl Friday” at KTIB radio in Thibodaux to help with office work, writing and scheduling commercials. It was in that first year that she learned about news and emergency situations, and how to broadcast the information to her listeners. In 1968 Marie left Thibodaux to work in Houma at KHOM radio, but only stayed a few months. She was sent back to Thibodaux to cover news for the area. When LaTerr Broadcasting purchased KTIB in the early 1980’s she was named station manager for both stations. Her work on the radio helped keep the community informed, through her daily talk show “Dialogue”, and particularly during disastrous hurricanes when radio broadcast for 24-hour periods. During her career she interviewed numerous governors, congressmen, local politicians, as well as celebrities such as Delta Burke, B.B. King and Elvis Presley. It should also be noted that well known television broadcasters Margaret Dubuisson, Dave McNamara and Sue Poye were all protégés of Marie. She was extremely involved with her community helping with many events and fundraisers for needy causes such as the Cancer and Heart Societies, the American Red Cross and the Lafourche Historical Society. She was a member of the board of directors of the Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce, a Hall of Fame Crusader against Cancer of the Lafourche Unit of the American Red Cross, and a Senior Mayor of the Day for the City of Thibodaux. She was honored to be a recipient of the BPW Woman of the Year Award, the Frank Kennedy Award, the Chamber Government Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award in the Broadcasting presented by the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters. A number of years after her retirement from radio broadcasting, she chose to become a resident of St. Joseph’s Manor Assisted Living in Thibodaux where she lived until August of this year. When medical issues became a concern, she moved to Lafayette, La., to be closer to her daughter-in-law.

Pallbearers will be Mark LeMaire, Matthew Lynch, Farrell Gillespie, Donald Dugas, Richard Lairscey and Richard Melancon.

Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, at St. Joseph’s Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux with Mass of Christian Burial to follow. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Thibodaux.

Thibodaux Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.