Inez Gauthier

St.Martinville - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a .m., on Monday, May 23, 2011, at St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church in St. Martinville, for Inez Odile Gauthier, 92, who passed away on Friday, May 20, 2011 at St. Agnes Healthcare and Rehab in Breaux Bridge. The Reverend Ed Degeyter, will be the celebrant of the services. Entombment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery in St. Martinville. Inez was born August 3, 1918 in St. Martinville where she lived almost her entire life. She was a graduate of St. Martin Convent of Mercy High School in 1935 and from the Sacred Heart Normal College in Grand Coteau in 1937. She remained there on the faculty for 3 years teaching at the Academy of the Sacred Heart. In later years she served on the Board of the Alumni of the College and Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau. During World War II she worked as a secretary at Camp Polk in Deridder, LA in the Department of Transportation of Troops. Miss Gauthier was for many years the owner of A.C. Gauthier Insurance Agency started by her father in St. Martinville and was well-known in the insurance business in Louisiana . She loved to travel, both in this country and in countries around the world, keeping track of all the places visited on a world map on the wall in her home. She was also very active in her Church, serving as trustee of St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church and on the Parish Council many years. She was a Eucharistic Minister, on the Ladies Altar Society, a captain of Martha's Guild and of the Perpetual Adoration Chapel and also served as organist when one was not available. She received the Bishop's Medal for devoted service to the Diocese of Lafayette. She was also very active in numerous community and civic activities over the years serving on various committees for the betterment of St. Martinville. In 1977 Inez joined the New Iberia Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and was an active member serving as secretary, chaplain, parliamentarian, vice regent and was twice Regent of her local chapter. In the State LSDAR she was transportation and safety chairman taking DAR members to the National Conference in Washington, D.C. in years 1990, 1991, and 1992; was State Chaplain from 1993-1995, 1st State Vice Regent in 1995-1998, Director of District VI 1999-2001, Chairman of National Defense Committee 2002-2004 and Co-Chairman of the State Conference 2004-2005. She also joined the National Society of the United States Daughters of 1812 and served as Chaplain in the Captain Joseph Marin Martin Chapter from 2003-2005. Survivors include one brother, Lawrence J. Gauthier and his wife, Shirley Poche Gauthier; three sisters, Isabelle G. Pointer, Gertrude G. Bienvenu and her husband, Dr. Zerben J. Bienvenu and Therese G. Delcambre and her husband, Gordon J. Delcambre; 31 nieces and nephews, 49 grand nieces and grand nephews, and many great grand nieces and great grand nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Anatole Charles Gauthier, Sr. and Agnes Marie Rousseau Gauthier; two brothers, Michael Denis Gauthier and Anatole Charles Gauthier, Jr.; and two sisters, Marie Louise Gauthier White and Annette Gauthier Durand. A gathering of family and friends will be Sunday from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. A Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. Sunday. Visitation will continue Monday at 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Pallbearers will be members of her family. Pellerin Funeral Homeof St.Martinville is in charge of arrangements. To view on-line obituary and sign guestbook, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com