Louise Anne Brancheau Orick

Louise Anne (Brancheau) Orick, age 93, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. She was born to Lloyd William “Brownie” Brancheau and Louise Hattie (Anteau) Brancheau, November 2, 1930 in Newport, Michigan. Louise, a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mom, mother-in-law, Mimi, and friend leaves behind a legacy of love and many cherished memories.

Louise was raised on a farm in Monroe, Michigan with her sisters and brother Virginia Gillean, Ethan Brancheau, Rita Kuklo and Darlene Watkins. There were thirteen years between Louise’s oldest sister Virginia and herself. Louise graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Monroe, Michigan. A few years after graduating high school, Louise met Millard “Rick” Orick at a dance. They fell in love and were married May 10, 1952.

Rick was serving in the military when he met Louise. Shortly after the newlyweds’ wedding, they packed up and moved to Fort Lawton Army Base in Seattle, Washington. Louise’s son Phil was born at the Fort Lawton Army Base hospital, February 1953. Before Louise moved to Phoenix in the late 1950’s, the family journeyed to various military bases from Monterey, California, to Yuma, Arizona and spending Christmas 1958 in Giessen, Germany. Louise shared with many of us her great adventure of taking her young son on an ocean liner to Germany to meet Rick. Louise spoke fondly of their stay in Germany and the kindness of the German people. Louise lived in the guest house behind her son and daughter-in-law from 1989 to 2021. In June of 2021 Louise moved to live with her grandson Cole and his family in San Tan Valley for about a year before moving to a group home in Phoenix the summer of 2022.

In 1964 Louise went to work for the Phoenix Union High School District working at East High School as a Library Clerk. She retired from East High School in 1980 to help take care of her first-born grandson, Chris while Phil and Janice were working.

Louise was a gifted oil painter, master seamstress, she enjoyed knitting, crocheting and cross-stitch. Louise also enjoyed ceramics and various crafts. When a new baby was added to the family or neighborhood, Louise cross-stitched little infant footprints with blue or pink thread, then added the baby’s name and date of birth to her framed creation before giving this precious gift to the proud parents of the new-born.

She painted many ceramic pieces, one being a large Santa Claus that stands almost 3-feet high. Louise displayed her Santa Claus each Christmas by her Christmas tree. When she made clothes for her husband, son, grandsons and great-grandkids she would first baste stich the seams before sewing. Louise was a very meticulous seamstress. Phil asked his mom to sew Christmas and holiday banners for Monte Vista Baptist Church and for the corporate businesses he decorated at Christmas time.

Louise was a great cook and baker, she was known for her French Toast, Fruit Pizza, Graham Craker Toffee Bars, Christmas Anise Sugar Cookies and Pecan Tassies.

Rick and Louise hosted monthly Saturday evening card games at their home when they lived on 45th Street for family and friends. They enjoyed playing the card games Euchre and Hand & Foot. 

Louise also enjoyed traveling with Rick and friends to southern California, Canada, Hawaii and back home to Monroe, Michigan to visit family and friends. 

During the last several years of Louise’s life she struggled with Dementia. As the disease progressed and her memory faded, Louise forgot many memories and individuals. Her great-niece, Renee’ Hoffman said, “but, Aunt Lou never forgot how much she loved us.” 

Rick and Louise were called “Pipi and Mimi” by their grandsons, a tradition from Louise’s French family. The boys shorten Pipi and Mimi to “Pip and Mim.” 

Louise was preceded in death by her parents, sisters and brother, husband and son. She is survived by her daughter-in-law Janice, grandsons Christopher and Cole and his wife Michelle, great-granddaughter Mayzie and great-grandson Paxton. Louise is also survived by nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews. To her nieces and nephews, Louise was known as their “favorite Aunt Lou.” 

Louise will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

A Rosary and Funeral Mass for Louise will be held at 9:25 a.m., Friday, July 12, 2024 at Saint Theresa Parish, 5045 East Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85018-7912. Flowers may be delivered to Saint Theresa Parish, Friday morning, July 12th. Donations may be mailed to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 East Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014-7602 or made online at https://hov.org/donate/ in her memory.