Family Always First

To Mrs. Doris Reggie

Mrs. Edmond Reggie relaxes in her garden in the Reggie home at 400 W. Northern Ave. The Crowley woman holds membership in many organizations, such as the Ladies' Altar Society and Catholic Daughters.

The handsome woman sat in her Kennedy rocker and reminisced.

She spoke of her family -- "I have to be all things to them". . of entertaining -- "It's fun; the 'duty' element doesn't enter into it". . and her activities -- "I like to spend my time fruitfully."

The woman speaking was Mrs. Doris Reggie, wife of prominent City Judge Edmund Reggie, and mother of six children.

Her list of accomplishments reads like a "Who's Who of American Women," of which, in fact, she is a member. According to their standards, Mrs. Reggie was "carefully selected as a woman who is outstanding among her contemporaries."

It began in high school, when, as a young girl, Mrs. Reggie was valedictorian of Mt. Carmel in Lafayette. At USL she furthered her accomplishments by becoming an honor student, president of her social sorority, Diotime Carnival Ball queen, Quota (Town House) Carnival Ball maid, and elected to the list of "Who's Who Among Students in AmericanUniversities and Colleges."

"After graduating, I had high ambitions, such as working as a home economist with a big company," she explained, "But I got married -- that kind of changed my plans."

She met her husband at the home of a aunt, and they were married in June, 1951. She later acquired a new ambition: "Channeling most of my extracurricular activities around the children," she said.

"These are things doge to my heart," continued Mrs. Reggie. "Being room mother, for example. . . working with each class our children are in .. devoting my time and care to family."

Mrs. Reggie was attuned tothese activities when she suffered a wrenched back four years ago. "I'm embarrased to tell how it happened," she laughed. "1 was leaning over the billiards table, preparing to shoot, and I popped two discs."

The accident resulted in extensive surgery, with the possibility that Mrs. Reggie would never completely recover.

"I had to face the fact of being a semi-invalid," she said. "But

after surgery, I recovered totally. . . now I lead a perfectly normal life."

With six children in the family, Mrs. Reggie is constantly trying new recipes, a favorite

hobby of hers. She said that rice is cooked every day in her home, but she also enjoys collecting recipes.

"I love the challenge of trying new dishes," said the woman. "Especially unusual ones, such as citrus duckling from Voisin's in New York. We called the chef and I was delighted that he would share this marvelous recipe for duckling with us."

Although her activities center around her family, the Crowley woman enjoys entertaining because it is a "source of relaxation."

"We would entertain regardless," she said. "It's not obligatory with us. . . we just love having our friends here."

She said that her enjoyment of people stems from her love for Crowley, and although the Reg-gins have traveled quite extensively, she always misses her friends at home.

Paintings from throughout the world hang in the Reggie's home. One of her favorites was done by a New Orleans artist from aphotograph. "The picture was taken when Edmund was the late President Kennedy's special emissary to the Middle East," she explained. "One of the countries we visited was Lebanon, and this picture shows the ruins of Baal-beck."

Of her many activities, Mrs. Reggie spoke fondly of club work and civic organizations,such as the Garden Club, Town and Country Club and St. Michael's Parents Club.

"I enjoy these groups," she said, "because in some way, even a small way, I can perhaps better my life, even the lives of others. . .1 can't spend my time idly. . . there are just too many exciting things to do."