Broussard – A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 in Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Broussard, La. for Louisette Dutile Girouard, 99, who passed away on July 19, 2024.
Fr. Michael Delcambre, Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, will be Celebrant of the Mass and will conduct the funeral services.
Burial will take place in Sacred Heart of Jesus Mausoleum in Broussard, La.
Mrs. Louisette, a life-long resident of Broussard, was the daughter of the late Walter Dutile and the former Jane Biss. In 1942, Louisette graduated Valedictorian from Broussard High. Upon graduation, she attended Spencer Business College and finished in 1944. Louisette worked a brief period of time with the Law Firm of St. Julien & Fournet until she married her first love, Harry Melancon. However in 1957, Harry tragically lost his life in Hurricane Audrey. As a young, widowed mother, Louisette began working as the Deputy Clerk for Lafayette Parish Registrar to care for her children and retired 20 years later as the Chief Deputy. In 1977, she married her longtime friend from Broussard, Avery “AJ” Girouard. Together they enjoyed cooking, entertaining, exercising, traveling & visiting with friends, and showing pigeons in competitions. Louisette and “AJ” were happily married until his untimely passing in 1997 of cancer. Louisette was a devoted wife & proud mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother; she was a devout Catholic woman of faith and a pillar of strength & courage.
Louisette enjoyed gardening, playing cards with family & friends, praying the Rosary, serving in the Ladies’ Altar Society, and attending Mass. She loved cooking and was well-known for preparing holiday feasts for her loved ones. Louisette was a very competitive card player all her life, but she especially enjoyed playing Bourree! She took great pride in her appearance, known to all as a woman of class and dignity. Yet, Louisette’s greatest accomplishment was the love & sacrifice made for her family, particularly displayed in the caregiving for her mother & father. This model of love lives on through her great-great-granddaughter, Vivian, who developed a special bond with Louisette assisting in her care these last three years. Louisette leaves behind a wonderful legacy of traditions rooted in her faithfulness to God.
She is survived by her daughter, Peggy Melancon Muhs; son-in-law, Eddie Rohner; granddaughters, Suzanne Rohner Palasek (Andrew), Alaina Rohner JeanBlanc (Bret), Nessie Cormier Laviolette (Bernard), Nicolette Cormier, and Noelle Cormier Brigman (Chris); great-grandchildren, Jackson Palasek, Parker JeanBlanc, Adelaide JeanBlanc, Trey Laviolette (Angelique), Jacques Laviolette, Zoe Brigman, Karsten Brigman, Kai Brigman, and Aspen Brigman; great-great-grandchildren, Vivian Laviolette and Luke Laviolette; step-children, Glenn Girouard, Odette Girouard Forbes, and Raymond Girouard; and nine step-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her first husband and the father of her children, Harry Melancon; children, Susie Melancon Rohner and Paul Melancon; great-granddaughter, Ashley Cormier; second husband, Avery “AJ” Girouard; parents, Walter and Jane Dutile.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 beginning at 10 a.m. A Rosary will be prayed at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning in the church. Visiting hours will continue, following the Rosary, until the time of service.
Pallbearers will be Bernard Laviolette, Trey Laviolette, Jacques Laviolette, Stanley Dutile, Donnie Dutile, Glenn Girouard, and Raymond Girouard.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Eddie Rohner, Andrew Palasek, Bret JeanBlanc, and Kris Brigman.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Acadiana, especially Allison Champagne, for the exceptional care given Louisette in her time of need. Also, special thanks to Dr. Gene Callais for the many years of service he provided. Lastly, a heartfelt thanks to her caregivers, Jeannine aka “Regina” Lasseigne, Faye Bonin, Faye Broussard, Lorena Wiltz, Inez Francois, and all the extended family & friends for their loving support.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the “Food with Love” by Hospice of Acadiana.
Personal condolences may be sent to the family of Louisette D. Girouard at: www.delhommefuneralhome.com
Louisette D. Girouard and her family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA.
(Pd.Adv.)
