Irene Marie Gremillion

LAFAYETTE - Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in La Chapelle de Martin & Castille for Irene Marie Gremillion, 72, who passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 1, 2009 at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center.

Entombment will be in St. Mary Assumption Mausoleum in Cottonport, Louisiana.

Reverend Lloyd Benoit, Pastor of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Franklin, will be the Celebrant of the funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Lectors will be Kathy G. Wall and Amy Claire Bordelon. Giftbearers will be Joan G. Broussard and Ruth G. Loving. Mrs. Jodi Bollich, organist and soloist, will sing for the services, "Amazing Grace", "Shepherd Me O' God", "Ave Maria", "Hail Mary, Gentle Woman", "Pie Jesu" and "Be Not Afraid"

She is survived by one brother, James Edgar Gremillion and his wife, Margaret "Marrain" of Lafayette; one sister, Olive Basha and her husband, Peter of Zachary, LA.; four nephews; six nieces; eighteen great nieces and nephews; and four great-great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilmore and Leila Gauthier Gremillion; and one nephew, Jeabert Gremillion.

A native of Cottonport, Louisiana and resident of Lafayette for over 26 years, Irene, also known to her family and friends as "Renie", was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, great aunt, great-great aunt and friend to all who knew her. "Renie" was a dedicated worker and enjoyed working as a door greeter at K-mart. She also worked as a volunteer for The Alleman Center and Lafayette Association of Retarded Citizens (LARC), where she was also a client. "Renie" also worked closely with her niece at Amy Claire Clothier in Lafayette. She enjoyed life and never met a stranger. "Renie" looked forward to socializing with her family and friends, and always told those that she met, "It was nice to meet you". She enjoyed reading the newspaper, playing Bingo and was a whiz at solving word search puzzles. "Renie" loved to dance to Zydeco music and was often seen "cutting a rug" with her friends and family at Downtown Alive or Parc San Souci. She also enjoyed taking part in the Mardi Gras Festivities. "Renie" was a faithful catholic who attended Mass regularly, and was a past member of the Ladies Altar Society at St. Mary Assumption Church in Cottonport, LA. Although it was never documented, "Renie's" family believed to think she was the oldest Down Syndrome person in Louisiana. She will be dearly missed not only by family and friends, but by all of those whose lives she has touched throughout the years.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Gremillion, Phil Gremillion, Billy Gremillion, Glynn Broussard, Butch Begnaud, Don Wall, Barrett Broussard and Law Loving. Honorary Pallbearers will be Aidan Bordelon, Everett Loving, Matthew Loving, Geoff Begnaud, Donovan Wall, Charlene Broussard, Christy Dauterive, Diane Heard, Sandy Johnson, Cindy Ross and Norma Borne.

A Rosary will be recited on Monday, November 2, 2009 at 6 p.m. in Martin & Castille Funeral Home in Lafayette. A eulogy will be given by her niece, Lucy Begnaud, following the Rosary.

The family requests that visitation be observed on Monday from 11 a.m to 8 p.m. and will continue on Tuesday from 8 a.m. until time of services.

Donations may be made in Irene's name to LARC, Lafayette Association of Retarded Citizens, 303 New Hope Rd. Lafayette, LA. 70506 or Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Suite 200, Lafayette, LA. 70503. www.HospiceAcadiana.com.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Bethany Health Care Center, for their kindness, compassion and loving care given to "Renie" during her time of need. Special thanks to her guardians and caregivers, Edgar and Margaret Gremillion and Jimmy and Amy Claire Bordelon.

View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com.

Martin & Castille - Lafayette, 337-234-2311.

Published in the Daily Advertiser on November 02, 2009.