Denise Latour, Rodney Latour, Trey Latour, Jacob Latour, Cody Latour, Althea Latour, Johnny Latour, John Latour, and Kenny Latour Mourn the Loss of Beloved Educator: Denise Latour of Ponchatoula, LA Dies at 63 — Ponchatoula High School and Entire Tangipahoa Parish Community United in Grief Over Passing of Esteemed Counselor, Teacher, and LA-AWARE Grant Coordinator
A Profound Loss for a Beloved School and Community
Ponchatoula, Louisiana — The Ponchatoula High School community, along with the broader Tangipahoa Parish region, is mourning the heartbreaking loss of Ms. Denise Latour, who passed away on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the age of 63. An irreplaceable figure within the educational landscape of Ponchatoula, Ms. Latour was known not only as a tireless school counselor and teacher, but as a mother figure, mentor, and advocate for student mental health and achievement.
Her passing has sent shockwaves through every hallway of Ponchatoula High School, where she served most recently as the Coordinator of the LA-AWARE Grant—a role she embraced with unwavering dedication and compassion. For years, she championed initiatives aimed at promoting mental health awareness, student emotional resilience, and family support structures, leaving a legacy that will endure far beyond her physical presence.
This obituary stands not only as a tribute to her remarkable life and legacy, but as a space for reflection, community unity, and celebration of a woman whose impact radiated through generations of families, friends, and learners.
A Legacy Etched in the Heart of Ponchatoula High School
Denise Latour’s journey in education spanned decades of service, mentorship, and love. Her tenure at Ponchatoula High School (PHS) was marked by innovation in student counseling, deeply personal investment in student success, and a ceaseless commitment to bettering the lives of everyone on campus. Denise did not simply teach—she inspired, guided, and empowered. Whether offering one-on-one counseling sessions, leading professional development for faculty, or coordinating mental wellness programs through the LA-AWARE Grant, she poured her entire self into every task, no matter how great or small.
Denise’s colleagues recall her tireless energy and unshakable commitment to the well-being of her students. She had an extraordinary gift for listening—truly hearing the struggles, dreams, and fears of the young people in her care—and responding with honesty, compassion, and actionable support. Her office was always open, often late into the evenings, and many students came to consider her more than a counselor—she was a surrogate parent, a guidepost, a source of comfort in turbulent times.
For the faculty and staff at PHS, Denise was a rock. She offered emotional support to her fellow educators, stepped in when a colleague was overwhelmed, and advocated for systemic improvements to ensure the emotional and academic success of all students. Her leadership in the Louisiana-AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education) Grant was instrumental in expanding mental health services on campus, training staff in trauma-informed practices, and increasing awareness of student mental health struggles.
A Mother, Mentor, and Guiding Light
Denise’s profound influence extended far beyond the classroom. At home, she was the proud matriarch of a close-knit and dynamic family. Her children—Rodney, Trey, Jacob, Cody, Althea, and Johnny Latour—along with extended family members John and Kenny Latour, have expressed heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of love from the community. In a deeply moving message shared by the family, they captured the complexity and strength of the woman they called “Mom”:
“We knew our mom as a passionate mother with high expectations and tough love. Over the last few days, we’ve been amazed to learn how much more she gave beyond our home—to her students, colleagues, and friends. She didn’t stop at raising me, Cody, Jacob, and making our dad happy. She worked tirelessly to help others reach their dreams, and sometimes, to push them through tough love into the next chapter of their lives.”
This sentiment has been echoed by students, former graduates, and educators across Louisiana who have taken to social media to share stories about Denise’s influence. From helping a first-generation student secure a college scholarship, to sitting beside a grieving teen after the loss of a loved one, Denise was always there—with presence, poise, and purpose.
Celebrating Her Life and Legacy
To honor her immense contribution to education and community, a Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ponchatoula on Monday, April 21, 2025, at 11:00 AM. This ceremony will serve not only as a spiritual farewell but as a testament to the sheer breadth of lives she touched during her lifetime.
Following the Funeral Mass, a motorcade will make its way to Ponchatoula High School, where Ms. Latour’s memory will be commemorated in a special final tribute. Students, faculty, and community members are invited to line the entrance of the school—a symbolic act of unity and remembrance. There, they will say goodbye to the woman who stood with them through personal trials, academic challenges, and moments of triumph.
School administrators are coordinating a day of remembrance and reflection at PHS, including opportunities for students to share memories, write letters to Ms. Latour’s family, and participate in therapeutic group sessions led by licensed grief counselors. Additional counseling resources will remain available throughout the month to help the community process this monumental loss.
Reflections from Colleagues, Students, and Friends
In tribute to Denise Latour, numerous teachers and administrators have shared their reflections:
“Denise was a lighthouse. In the stormiest days, she was calm, composed, and somehow always had the right words. She didn’t just help students through their problems—she taught them how to face life with courage.”
— Mrs. Karen Williams, Assistant Principal, PHS
“She was my mentor, my friend, and my role model. There was no one more committed to student success and well-being. Denise challenged us all to be better educators and better people.”
— Mr. Malik Gordon, Social Studies Teacher
“There are some people who are just born to serve. Denise was one of them. She lived a life of service, and the lives she changed are too many to count.”
— Lori Fontenot, Retired Educator, Tangipahoa Parish School System
Students shared similar sentiments:
“Ms. Latour helped me believe in myself when no one else did. Because of her, I’m the first in my family to go to college.”
— Tina C., Class of 2023
“She sat with me for hours after I lost my mom. I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through that year without her.”
— Jordan W., Class of 2024
A Legacy Carved in Courage and Compassion
In the coming weeks, plans are already underway to establish a memorial scholarship fund in Ms. Latour’s name, dedicated to supporting students pursuing degrees in counseling, social work, or education. The Denise Latour Memorial Scholarship will ensure that her life’s mission continues—one student at a time.
In addition, the PHS Counseling Center will be renamed in her honor, with a mural planned that will capture her favorite quotes and moments from her decades-long career. The mural, created by current art students, will serve as a visual reminder to future generations of her unwavering love and devotion to every individual she encountered.
Final Words from the Family
The Latour family’s message speaks volumes about the legacy Denise leaves behind—not just as a professional, but as a deeply loved mother, wife, sister, and friend. Their statement continues:
“Hearing your stories, reading your messages, and feeling your support has filled our hearts during what is undoubtedly the hardest moment of our lives. She was a force—in our big, loud family, with her quilt group, among her many friends, and in her school family. She was everyone’s rock.”
They have asked for continued prayers and positive energy as they move through this period of grief, and have welcomed stories, letters, and photos to be shared with the family at the funeral and memorial events.
A Call to Remember, A Call to Live Her Legacy
In a world often defined by noise and division, Denise Latour was a quiet, steady force for unity, empathy, and hope. Her life reminds us that true leadership does not always come with titles or recognition—sometimes, it is found in the quiet support of a struggling student, the late-night phone call to a concerned parent, or the determined voice in a staff meeting advocating for a better tomorrow.
She leaves behind a trail of light, love, and legacy. And though her physical voice has been silenced, her message—of perseverance, service, compassion, and dedication—will continue to echo through the halls of Ponchatoula High School and beyond.
From her children Rodney, Trey, Jacob, Cody, Althea, Johnny, and extended family John and Kenny Latour, to every student who found comfort in her presence, to every friend who laughed by her side, and every colleague who stood in awe of her strength—we thank you, Ms. Latour.
You were a gift to this world.
You are deeply missed.
You will never be forgotten.
