Doris Charlene Mendrzycki

Doris Charlene “Charlene” Mendrzycki, 75, passed away from this life and entered the gates of Heaven on August 19, 2025, at a family home in Lake Charles surrounded by loving family members.

Charlene was born on November 23, 1949, to Alvie and Irene Martin in Soapstone, Louisiana. After being named after two of her mother’s favorite teachers, she attended various schools throughout her childhood and later became an educator herself. Due to the genuine smile that she always had upon her face, she earned the nickname “Smiley” by her 5th grade teacher and that nickname followed her into adulthood. Upon completion of high school, she attended McNeese State University and received her Education degree and began her career as a much-loved Elementary School Teacher and continued to teach until her retirement after almost 30 years.

On February 6, 1974, she finally married her soulmate. She and Chet lived faithfully and loved fully until his passing in October 2016 after 42 years of marriage. Theirs truly was a marriage made in Heaven.

Charlene had a huge heart and loved her family most of all with her friends right along with them. She was a devoted wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She was, also, a beautiful, free-spirited soul that touched every life she met. She loved traveling, scrapbooking, living adventures, sunflowers and her family and friends. She was the person who stopped to smell the wildflowers and loved to dance in the rain. One of her favorite quotes that Chet used to tell her was “When it rains look for rainbows. When it’s dark, look for stars”. They spent countless nights looking at “their stars” that was a view God gave only to them. She was an avid animal lover and tried (unsuccessfully) to never name the strays Chet brought home. Once she named them, she knew they were family, and she would keep them.

You would find no other person who was a more faithful and devoted friend. She was loyal, devoted and driven. Every task that she tackled, she gave 100% to and in all things.

During her long battle with cancer, she showed up for others and kept a lot of her journey to herself so not to worry any of her family and friends. She fought valiantly and was a brave and courageous soul until the end. She defied all odds and remained living life 100% with her family and friends over 2 1/2 years past what the drs originally expected.

Charlene is survived by five brothers: Larry (Grace) Martin, DeRidder, Louisiana; Leonard Martin, Soapstone, Louisiana; Randall (Tammy) Martin; Soapstone, Louisiana; Ronnie (Lisa) Martin, Pomona, Kansas; Toby (Stacey) Martin, Soapstone, Louisiana; two Sisters: Carolyn Martin, Soapstone, Louisiana; Doniece (Nathaniel) Hardt, Thompson, Connecticut; along with countless nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 42 years, Chester J “Chet” Mendrzycki; Parents, Alvie and Irene Martin; Siblings, Dorothy Sue Magiera, Charles Martin and Robert Martin; along with various other family members.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Dr Michael Broussard and staff of LCMH, Brighton Bridge Hospice, specifically Nurses Layna, Kim and Rebecca for all you have done for our family.

Celebration of Life services will be held on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Myers Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, Louisiana with visitation beginning at 9 am and service to be held at 11 am. A private graveside service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St Jude’s Cancer Research at www.stjude.org or any other Charity of your choice.