Mary Genevieve Catalan

Breaux Bridge - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, May 23, 2026, at St. Genevieve Catholic Church honoring the life of Mary Genevieve Catalan, 81, who passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

A visitation will take place at St. Genevieve Catholic Church Saturday from 8:00 am until time of service.

A Rosary will be prayed at 9:00 am.

Rev. Brian Taylor will officiate at the Funeral Mass.

Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

In Loving Memory of Genevieve "Shorty" "Jan"

Today, with heavy hearts and tearful eyes, we honor and remember a truly remarkable woman, Genevieve, lovingly known to me as "Shorty," and known to many others as "Jan." She was a woman whose love, faith, strength, and wisdom touched generations of lives. Born on September 23, 1944, and called home to the Lord on May 7, 2026, she lived a life rooted in love, loyalty, generosity, and unwavering faith.

Shorty was the kind of woman who could light up any room she walked into. Her smile was warm, her laughter contagious, and her presence unforgettable. She carried herself with grace and resilience, even through life's hardest battles. No matter what challenges came her way, she stood strong - a woman of dignity, strength, and deep devotion to her family and to God.

One of her greatest joys in life was caring for those she loved. She enjoyed cooking and catering to her family, making sure no one ever left her home hungry or without feeling loved. She also found joy in the simple things, especially garage sale shopping, always finding treasures and happiness in places others may have overlooked. But the greatest treasure of all was the love she poured into her family and everyone blessed enough to know her.

To me, she was more than family - she was like a mother. She helped shape the woman I am today. From a very young age, she taught me the importance of cleaning, caring for a home, and loving and taking care of family. Most importantly, she taught me how to love the Lord and walk a righteous path in life.

She was definitely strict w/that love, and anyone who knew Shorty knew she believed in respect and discipline. If I moved or talked during church, I could count on a quick pinch to remind me to "get some act right," and I knew better than to cry about it. In her eyes, church was sacred, and she made sure I understood the importance of reverence, faith, and respect for God. Looking back now, those lessons became some of the greatest blessings of my life.

It is hard to understand why someone so good, so loving, and so faithful had to endure the suffering brought on by such a cruel disease. A woman who was truly as good as gold deserved so much more than emptiness & pain. That answer is one we may never fully understand in this earthly life. But even in suffering, she remained strong, faithful, and full of love.

While my heart is deeply saddened and broken by her passing, I find comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering. She is finally at peace, resting in the loving arms of the Lord she served so faithfully throughout her life.

Shorty meant so much to our family, and her absence leaves a space that can never truly be filled. Yet her memory will forever live on in the lessons she taught, the love she gave, the strength she carried, and the faith she instilled in all of us. She is part of the reason I am the woman I am today, and for that, I will forever be grateful.

My prayers are for peace, comfort, and understanding for her Son & his wife who cared for her in the most vulnerable & difficult time of her life & everyone who loved her.

Rest peacefully, Shorty.

Your love, your faith, your laughter, and your legacy will never be forgotten.

Until we meet again, I will carry you in my heart always. I love you My Shorty with all my ❤️ I will carry you with me forever💔

Obituary written by Summer Hebert

Her favorite color was purple, the family asks that everyone wear a shade of purple to her Service.

She is survived by her son, Michael Mark Catalan (Elenita Rivera Catalan); grandchildren, Beckham A. Rivera and Sydney N. Montoya; and great- grandchildren, Silas Barnes and Alexander Barnes.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John Earl Catalan; parents, Cleopha and Lola Moless Gathe; sisters, Lilly Gathe and Lee Velma Begnaud; and her brothers, Jessie Gathe and Charles L. Gathe.

Pallbearers will be Charles A. Gathe, Brian F. Gathe, Rick Begnaud, Glenn Begnaud, Brandon Stoute and Gauge Denman.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Mike Begnaud and Ronnie Gathe.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Faith House of Acadiana - Domestic Violence Crisis Center.

Pellerin Funeral Home (337-332-2111) is in charge of arrangements.