obituary

LAFAYETTE - Mary Moselle Alexander Hesterly, died peacefully at her residence in Lafayette, Louisiana, on Friday, September 4, 2009. She was 85. Moselle, who nicknamed herself "Rocky" as a young girl, was born on January 15, 1924, in Waco, Texas, the only daughter of Linnaeus Cyrus Alexander and Ella Jane Stephens Alexander. She attended Fairmont School for Girls in Washington, D. C. and the University of Texas where she was named One of the Ten Most Beautiful Women on campus. She was also a cover girl model in New York.

Rocky married U.S. Army Air Corps Captain James Pitman Hesterly, Sr. in 1944. She is survived by their five children, Cynthia Hesterly Powell and her husband, Richard, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., James Pitman Hesterly, Jr. and his wife, Elizabeth, of Lafayette, John Joseph Hesterly and his wife, Kay, of Lafayette, William Stephens Hesterly and his wife, Denise, of Alpine, Utah, and Mary Monica Hesterly, of Lafayette. She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren, Rebecca Powell Kelton and her husband, Clay, Robert James Powell, Susan Grace Powell, James Pitman Hesterly, III, Miles Crocker Hesterly, Piper Hesterly Browne and her husband, Justin, Joseph Pitman Hesterly, Lindsay Hesterly Geilman and her husband, Matt, Jessica Hesterly Gowdy and her husband, John, Alexander James Hesterly, Austin DeVere Hesterly, Ian William Hesterly, and Andrew Anderson Hesterly; and six great grandchildren.

Rocky previously lived in Alexandria, Lake Charles, Austin, Crestview, Florida, and Fort Walton Beach, Florida before arriving at her final resting place in Lafayette. She spent fifteen happy years in Fort Walton Beach where she was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church while residing at Westwood Retirement Center. She moved to Lafayette in 2005.

Her last years in Lafayette proved to be some of her happiest as she received loving care from the Olive Branch of the Episcopal Church

of the Ascension. Rocky enjoyed her days at Rosewood Retirement Community in the company of her loyal companion and friend Lisa Wesley. Lisa tended to Rocky's every need with faithfulness and good cheer. The family thanks Lisa for her beautiful years of service.

The family also acknowledges the staff at Rosewood, Sheila Ardoin (Rocky's weekend caregiver), and Rocky's devoted friends Jackie Frentz and Betsy Vigorito.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Rocky's memory be made to the Episcopal Church of the Ascension's Olive Branch, 1030 Johnston St. Lafayette, LA. 70501, as their ministry to Rocky made a beautiful difference in her life.

A Celebration of the life of Mary Moselle Alexander Hesterly will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 1030 Johnston Street, on Saturday, September 19, 2009, at 11 a.m. The family will receive friends in the Owen Room at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com

Martin & Castille - Lafayette, 337-234-2311