Beryl Anne Babineaux Duck

Beryl Anne Babineaux Duck, born on July 20, 1948, in Crowley, Louisiana, passed away on June 26, 2024. She was the cherished daughter of the late Marie “Teezee” Bertrand Babineaux and Henry Earl Babineaux. Beryl spent her childhood in New Iberia, Louisiana, alongside her two sisters, the late Barbara Mergist and Beverly Simoneaux.

The Babineaux family lived on Dotson Street, directly across from the New Iberia City Park, and were active members of Iberia Country Club and Saint Peter’s Catholic Church. Beryl and her sisters attended Mt. Carmel Academy, where they enjoyed an idyllic life in the 1950s and 60s. With a mother who was a schoolteacher and a father who worked in the oil field, Beryl learned the values of education and hard work.

Beryl excelled academically and had a passion for debate and school governance, eventually serving as the president of her high school class. After graduating in 1966, Beryl attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana from 1966 to 1968, where she was a member of the Phi Mu Sorority. On March 29, 1968, she married Charles Harold Duck. Initially working as a bank teller in Lafayette and New Iberia, she followed Charles to Houston, Texas, after his graduation in 1970, where he began his career with Ashland Chemical Co. Beryl then worked for a collection agency in Houston until the birth of their first child, Charlotte Marie Duck, on June 17, 1971. The family moved frequently due to Charles’ career, living in Columbus, Ohio, Ashland, Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, and eventually returning to Houston in 1991 until their retirement in 2013 when they settled in Oakton, Virginia.

Beryl’s primary vocation was as a devoted mother and homemaker, creating warm and loving homes in over 20 different houses. On May 18, 1980, she welcomed her second daughter, Stephanie Ann Duck, into the world in Ashland.

Beryl inherited a strong sense of justice from her mother, advocating fiercely for the weak, abused, and those unfairly treated. Her commitment to women’s rights led her to work for the Habitat for Humanity Women’s Shelter in Ashland, Kentucky, serving as Treasurer and ultimately, President of the Board. Beryl continued to serve others in Houston, serving the elderly and volunteering for the church.

Her daughter Charlotte earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisville, a Master’s degree from St. Thomas University, and post-Masters coursework at Sam Houston State University. She married Mark Edward Daugherty, and they currently reside in The Woodlands, Texas, with their two daughters, Kathleen Marie Daugherty and Caroline Elizabeth Daugherty.

Stephanie completed her Bachelor’s degree at Loyola University New Orleans, a Master’s degree from University of Iowa, and her Doctoral coursework at George Mason University. She married Patrick O’Neill, and they currently reside in Oakton, Virginia, with their two daughters, Meghan Claire O’Neill and Sophie Anne O’Neill.

Beryl was immensely proud of her children and grandchildren, embodying the gold standard as a supportive wife to Charles for 56 years. Her legacy of love and dedication will be remembered by all who knew her.

In Lieu of flowers donations in Beryyl’s name may be made to the Youth Apostles, https://www.youthapostles.org/support?form=donate