Helen Hofstetter Raphael

New Iberia - A memorial service will be held for Mrs. Helen H. Raphael, 89, on Tuesday, July 5, 2016, at 6:00PM at David Funeral Home of New Iberia, with Pastor Linda Kelly to serve as the celebrant. Inurnment will follow at a later date.

The family will begin receiving guests on Tuesday, July 5, 2016, at 4:00PM until 8:00PM.

A native of Burbank, CA, and resident of New Iberia, Mrs. Raphael passed away on Friday, July 1, 2016, at 10:30PM at a local hospital.

As an educator, she taught math at Catholic High and Mount Carmel. While working as director of courses at a school in Brazil, she met her husband of over 50 years, Mr. Morris, who just happened to be in the same Brazilian city working as an engineer. They married and moved to Louisiana.

Strong in her faith, Mrs. Raphael was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Iberia Parish. For many years, she was a member of the Franklin chapter of the D.A.R. She was an avid reader who held a bachelor’s degree from Monmouth College and a master’s degree in chemistry from UCLA. She was a simple yet elegant woman and she will be missed.

She is survived by her daughter, Rose Anne Raphael of New Iberia; son, John Leonard Raphael and wife Christine of Westerville, OH; stepson, Morris Charles Raphael, Jr. and wife Angela of Baton Rouge; grandchildren, Melanie Raphael of Minneapolis, MN, Kathleen Raphael of Westerville, OH; and sister, Marilynn Hofstetter of Ferndale, CA.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Morris Charles Raphael, Sr; father, Leonard Orin Hofstetter; mother, Helen Culbertson Hofstetter, granddaughter, Ashley Raphael; and sister, Patricia Hofstetter.

The family would like to thank Mrs. Raphael’s caregivers and friends for all of their compassion and kindness given to their mother.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Raphael’s honor can be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Iberia Parish ( P.O. Box 13350, New Iberia, LA, 70562), and the Sisters of Mount Carmel (P.O. Box 1160, Lacombe, LA, 70445-1160).

Those wishing to express condolences can sign the online guestbook.

David Funeral Home of New Iberia, 1101 Trotter St., (337) 369-6336, is in charge of arrangements.