Louise Adele Marchant, 88, of Turlock, passed away May 26 at Doctors Medical Center surrounded by her loving family. She was the second daughter born in 1926 to Leopoldo and Confida Poggi, Italian immigrants, in San Francisco.
The family relocated to Turlock in 1935 to begin a garbage business, now known as Turlock Scavenger Company. Louise attended Turlock schools, graduating from Turlock High School with the “famous” Class of ’44, who still meet for lunch once a month.
In 1945, Louise married her high school sweetheart, Jesse Lee “Bud” Marchant. After Jesse’s discharge from the Navy they began their family of three boys: Gregory, Alan, and Lee. Jesse and Louise became sole owners of Turlock Scavenger in 1956. Louise also worked off and on for Boies’ Drug Store for 15 years.
Many words could describe Louise, but at the top of the list would be “cheerleader.” Starting as a genuine song leader at Turlock High School, her dedication and enthusiasm for Turlock High never diminished and throughout the years carried over into the entire community of Turlock. Her involvement included: Turlock Little League, Sacred Heart YLI, Sacred Heart School, Turlock Recreation Commission, Turlock Planning Commission, Turlock Salvation Army, Turlock Together, and she assisted in the development of Pedretti Park. She was also an active member of The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, Native Daughters of the Golden West, American Legion Auxiliary, a life member of Turlock Historical Society, and she served as a board member of the Turlock Community Theatre.
Louise liked to tell the story that she is the only member of Turlock High’s Hall of Fame who is not an athlete and was honorary homecoming queen in 1994. She was especially proud of her involvement in seeing that the Turlock High School Auditorium was restored and is now Turlock Community Theatre. Louise truly bled Blue and Gold.
Since Turlock Scavenger is synonymous with community service, in 1983 Jesse and Louise were awarded the Turlock Chamber of Commerce Best of Turlock Business Leader of the Year. In 2003, the Chamber honored her with the Special Recognition award, which is given to someone for going above and beyond in giving back to the community. In 2010, Louise was awarded Citizen of the Year, where she was also presented the Key to the City of Turlock by the Mayor.
But regardless of how active she was in the community, she always had time to support her family in all of their endeavors.
Louise was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Jesse, sister Elvera Sisco Maciel, and grandson Anthony “Tony” Marchant.
She is survived by her sons Gregory Marchant, Alan Marchant and his wife, Kathy, and Lee Marchant and his wife, Janet, her grandchildren Heather, Dawn, Missy, Macie, Jesse, and Darin, and her great-grandchildren Daniel, Lucas, Garrett, McKinley, Maryn, and Emmersyn. She also leaves many nieces and nephews, with special inclusion of Lynette Souza, Jim Sisco, Jaymi, Jimmy, Kirsten, Dominic, Richard Marchant, and Stanley Marchant.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 4, beginning at 3 p.m., followed by recitation of the Rosary at 7 p.m. at Turlock Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Rd., Turlock. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 5, at the same location. Private entombment will take place at Chapel of Flowers Mausoleum at Turlock Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to Turlock Community Theatre, 1574 E. Canal Dr., Turlock, CA 95380; Salvation Army, 893 Lander Ave., Turlock, CA 95380; Turlock Historical Society, P.O. Box 18, Turlock, CA 95381, or Father McElligott Sacred Heart School Foundation, 1225 Cooper Ave., Turlock, CA 95380.
