Mary Thelma Broussard Fontenot

Mary Thelma Broussard Fontenot, a loving mother and matriarch of a devoted family, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 92, in her New Iberia, Louisiana home, surrounded by family and loved ones. She was the heart of the Fontenot family, whom she dedicated her life to with a generous heart, a wise spirit, and gifted hands, that nurtured, taught, crafted, prepared and endured. Her life was the embodiment of Proverbs 31: 25 – 28 “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”

Born on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 30, 1933, in New Iberia, Louisiana, the first born of John Marcus and Claudia Chaisson Broussard. She would begin the family tradition of attending St. Edward Catholic School, and as a member of St. Edward Catholic church, Thelma lived a life centered around God, family, and devotion to those she cherished most.

Thelma married Gill Belaire Fontenot on July 28, 1951. Before his passing, they spent 34 years together, becoming the proud parents of 10 children – seven daughters and three sons, creating a home filled with love, laughter, and lots of people! Her home remained the family gathering place for decades for holidays, summer vacation, impromptu visits for a chat or the comfort of her delicious home cooked meals; it remains a symbol of togetherness today.

From her inimitable pecan candy to her one-of-a-kind crocheted blankets, her hobbies were an extension of her loving spirit. No event was complete without a platter of her candy; those sweet treats even made their way to France for her granddaughter’s wedding. Her blankets were coveted by everyone who knew her. Each stitch - a prayer, every thread - a reminder of her warmth and care, each recipient - forever wrapped in her love.

As some of her children and grandchildren moved from New Iberia, Thelma found joy in traveling around the country, from Tennessee, Georgia, California, Alabama, and Texas, to earning her first passport stamp visiting the beautiful islands of Trinidad and Tobago!

Her legacy will live on in every shared meal, every handmade blanket, and every gathering around the family table. Her love was steadfast, her faith unyielding, and her memory will remain in the hearts of all who knew her.

She is survived by her ten children, Della Marie (Walter, Jr.) Zenon, Mary Jeanette (Joseph) Hockless, Grandella “Sue” Hamilton, John Marcus (Angell) Fontenot, Garrett Paul “Cookie” Fontenot, Sarah Ann (Roosevelt) Hill, Marilyn Jane (Andrew) Lovelace, Mona Rae (Christopher) Jones, Gill Christopher Fontenot, and Claudia Victoria (Shaunathan) Thibeaux; goddaughter, Shirley Guilbeaux; 28 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren; three great-great- grandchildren; as well as a vast, loving network of nieces, nephews and extended family who will forever carry on her beautiful legacy and her love in their hearts.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Gill Fontenot; parents, John and Claudia Broussard; sisters, Carolyn Marie Broussard, Loren Broussard, Laura Broussard Schello, Velma Broussard Fontenot; godson, Danny Fontenot; and three cherished grandchildren, Trevor DeRouen, Nicholas Fontenot, and Bailey Hill.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Edward Catholic Church at 1:00 pm on Friday, March 13, 2026.

Rev. Donald Bernard will be the Celebrant.

Interment will follow in St. Edward Church Cemetery.

Visitation will be at Pellerin Funeral Home in New Iberia on Friday from 9:00 am until 12:15 pm.

A rosary, led by the Legion of Mary, will be prayed at 11:00 am on Friday at Pellerin Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Edward’s Booster Club or Sister Michele Endowment Fund.

Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd, New Iberia, LA 70560 (337-365-3331).