[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 201 (Wednesday, December 6, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1179-E1180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF CONSTANCE ``CONNIE'' MARRIOTT SELICO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2023

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate an 
outstanding businesswoman, former Civil Rights Movement Activist as a 
Freedom Rider, and Algiers Matriarch, located in my Congressional 
District and often referred to as a mastermind of all things New 
Orleans, Mrs. Constance ``Connie'' Marriott Selico.
  Constance ``Connie'' Marriott Selico went home to be with the Lord on 
Thursday, July 20, 2023, at the age of 90. At the time of her passing, 
she was the Chief Executive Officer of Murray Henderson Funeral Home 
and a retired educator of the Jefferson Parish School System. Connie, 
as she was fondly known, was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Lillie 
Winnfield and Charles Marriott. At six months, Connie was brought to 
New Orleans, Louisiana, by her mother and was reared by her Godmothers, 
Lillian Henderson Dunn and Erma Henderson Gibbs. In 1948 she was united 
in holy matrimony to Leo Selico of Gretna, Louisiana. To this union, 
five children were born: Leo, Jr., Lee Andre, Alex, Christopher, and 
Shelita. Leo and Connie enjoyed life to the fullest, honoring their 
wedding vows until he died in 1992.
  Connie was baptized at an early age by her Godfather, the late 
Reverend G.B. Franklin, at the family church, First Free Mission of 
Algiers, where she was a member for many years. While there, she worked 
on numerous committees. In 1995, she moved her membership to Morning 
Star Missionary Baptist Church of Marrero under the leadership of 
Reverend Dr. Thomas J. Brown, Jr. During her tenure at Morning Star, 
and she worked as Chairman of the Pastor Anniversary Committee and a 
member of The Senior Stars. Her love of both churches and her faith 
provided her with a caring and fulfilled life. Connie attended McDonogh 
No. 32 Elementary School, L.B. Landry Jr./Sr. High School and was a 
proud graduate of Gilbert Academy. She furthered her education by 
attending Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, earning a 
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. She later attended Southern 
University in New Orleans and earned certification in Special 
Education. Never one to sit back and take it easy, Constance was 
adequately known as a trailblazer and a doer, as was witnessed by her 
many activities and achievements.
  While working on her certification, she actively participated in the 
Civil Rights Movement as a Freedom Rider, helping organize protest 
marches and voter registration drives. She was a part of the first 
group of Black teachers hired in the Jefferson Parish Public School 
System, where she taught for 33 years. Constance also holds the honor 
of being among the 100 Black and the oldest funeral director in New 
Orleans. From the age of 90 years until her demise, she served as 
Owner/Chief Executive Officer of the Murray Henderson Funeral Home. 
Connie spent all her adolescent years and most of her adult life at the 
family funeral home founded by her great Uncle Murray Henderson in 
1909.
  On August 29, 1978, after completing an apprenticeship under her 
Godmother Erma, she received her Funeral Directors license from the 
Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors Connie was a 
member of the Gilbert Academy Alumni Association, Crescent City Funeral 
Directors Association, National Funeral Directors and Morticians 
Association, 100 Black Women of Funeral Services, Jefferson Federation 
of Teachers, and Louisiana Teachers Retirement System. Connie was 
preceded in death by her husband, Leo Selico, Sr., two sons, Leo 
Selico, Jr., and Lee Andre Selico, Sr., her mother, Lillie Winnfield 
Thompson, her Godmothers Lillian H. Dunn and Erma H. Gibbs, a sister 
Faye Anderson, a son-in-law James Forges, Jr., a daughter-in-law, 
Carolyn Joseph Selico Dunn, and her grandmother Ernestine Henderson 
Winnfield.
  Connie leaves to cherish her memories two sons Alex Selico Dunn, Sr. 
(Janet), Christopher Selico (Sharon)--a daughter Shelita Selico Forges, 
a foster son Harold Anderson, and a daughter-in-law Edwina Selico, 13 
grandchildren Ryan, Leo III (Jill), Lee Andre, Jr., Christen, Fabian 
and Brandon Selico, Felician S. Robinson (Corey), Alexis Buffington 
(Jeremy), Alex Selico Dunn, Jr., (Kristen), Alexandra Selico Dunn, 
James III, Jonathan, and Constance Forges, a cousin/sister Valenca L. 
Williams, a sister-in-law Melanie Johnson.
  She is also survived by 19 great-grandchildren, 18 great, great-
grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other 
relatives and friends.
  The Greater New Orleans Community has suffered the loss of an 
incredible gem. I am

[[Page E1180]]

proud to say I was able to connect with her throughout my entire 
pollical career, respecting the guidance and support she gave. I will 
forever carry her direction as I serve the Constituents of LA02. May 
she forever rest in peace.

                          ____________________