Marlene Vinsanau

A 49-year veteran of the Assessor’s Office in St. Bernard Parish, Marlene Vinsanau, is retiring at the end of her term in December 2012.

Vinsanau will not run for re-election of the parish assessor seat, which she has maintained for the last 15 years.

“I would like very much to enjoy my retirement while I still have my health,” said Vinsanau, who began working as a Deputy Assessor when she was 19.

Marlene will be the last St. Bernard Parish Assessor in the line of Vinsanaus, including her husband, Maurice Vinsanau, and her father-in-law, Lewis Vinsanau.
“This is the very first time in 65 years that a Vinsanau won’t be holding this office,” she said. “That’s the end of an era.”

Vinsanau said it was hard for her to go into the neighborhoods and assess properties, as she felt it was too soon after the damage done by Hurricane Katrina.

The Assessor said she is excited about retiring and hopes to spend some time travelling.