Irby Duhon Gaspard

Irby Duhon Gaspard, 96, died Wednesday, February 9, 2011, in a local care facility, with her loving family at her side.

Born in the Lafayette area on October 26, 1914 to O'Niel Pierre and Estelle Duhon, Mrs. Gaspard lived in Lake Charles for more than 75 years. She was the oldest of thirteen children, Irby, Dudley, Oscar "Pete," Ruby, Minus, Haywood, Albert, Serina, Gussie, Horace, Rose Ella, R.J. and Helen. She married Abbie L. Gaspard on October 22, 1932 and together they raised five children, Lester, Hilda, Abbie, Jr., Vivian and Richard Gaspard.

Mrs. Gaspard was a member of St. Margaret Catholic Church for many years, and then Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church and OLQH Altar Society, and a member of the French Cajun Music Association. She was a homemaker and an excellent cook, and she loved the Cajun French music and dancing, as well as her flowers and gardening. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 55 years, Abbie L. Gaspard, Sr.; one son, Lester Joseph Gaspard; four sisters, Ruby Viator, Serina Phall, Gussie Benoit, and Rose Ella Rider; five brothers, Minus, Haywood, Horace, Albert, and Oscar "Pete" Duhon; one grandson, Thomas Gaspard; and two great granddaughters, Alicia Marie Terrebonne and Amy Nicole Gaspard.

Mrs. Gaspard is survived by two daughters, Hilda G. LeBlanc and husband LeRoy of Lake Charles and Vivian G. Bonvillain of Baton Rouge; two sons, Abbie Gaspard, Jr. and wife Ida Mae and Richard Dale Gaspard and wife Grace, all of Lake Charles; one sister, Helen Duhon of Lake Charles; two brothers, Dudley Duhon of Orange, Texas and R.J. Duhon of Lake Charles; numerous grandchildren, step grandchildren, great-grandchildren, step great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and many friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Rev. Keith Pellerin will officiate. Interment will be at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Friday from 2:00 PM until 9:00 PM, with a scriptural rosary at 6:00 PM and will continue on Saturday from 8:00 AM until 9:30 AM in the funeral home.

The family would like to express their grateful appreciation to the staff of Resthaven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the staff of Odyssey Hospice, and the staff of Johnson Funeral Home.