Shirley Lavergne Espiritu was born on October 25, 1945, in Lafeyette, LA. On August 18, 2026, she passed from this life to go to her heavenly home. She was 80 years old. As a devoted mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, she served as a blessing to all she met.
Shirley graduated from Northside High School in 1963. She soon met the love of her life, Geronimo Espiritu, and they were married June 1, 1963. They had three children, Lisa, Kim and Troy. She was a dedicated mother and for several years she stayed home to raise her children but eventually joined the work force and ultimately retired from Coastal Laundry.
Her Catholic faith gave her direction as she prayed the rosary every day and attended Mass regularly at Little Flower Catholic Church. Joy was at the heart of family celebrations hosted at her home where Cajun food was enjoyed along with Filipino dishes consistent with her late husband's culture. She enjoyed anything Cajun; Cajun music, Cajun food, LSU football and crawfish boils. She was always up for a visit to the casinos and playing the slot machines in the hopes of hitting the jackpot.
Shirley is survived by her children, Lisa (Peter) Finnorn, Kim Espiritu, and Dr. Troy (Mary) Espiritu; her siblings, Kenneth (Charlene) Lavergne, Carl (Annette) Lavergne and Randy (Lois) Lavergne; her grandchildren, Brandon (Bonnie) Finnorn, Natalie Finnorn, Andrew (Katelyn) Finnorn, David Finnorn, Brody (Abby Grace) Espiritu, Lorin (Chase) Cutrell, Ellie (Brice) Morpeth, Maggie (Daniel) Forlines, Troy Espiritu Jr., and Bin Espiritu; and her great grandchildren, Cameron Finnorn, Sydney Finnorn, Sara Bince Finnorn, Liam Cutrell, James Cutrell, Eloise Espiritu and Charlie Forlines.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Geronimo Espiritu, her father and mother, Hillry Lavergne and Hazel Lavergne and her two younger sisters, Barbara Lavergne and Joe Ann Brewer.
Oct 25, 1945 — Aug 18, 2026
A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, August 24 at Little Flower Catholic Church at 10:00am. Visitation will be held prior to Mass starting at 9:00am.
