Alice Bellemin Perry

Funeral services will be held at a 10:00 am Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, May 6, 2013 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette, LA, for Mrs. O. M. Perry, the former Alice Bellemin, who passed away Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at River Oaks Nursing Home in Lafayette, LA. Rite of Committal and interment will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. The Reverend Monsignor Keith J. DeRouen, Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Opelousas, LA will celebrate the funeral mass and conduct the burial services. Alice was born October 3, 1914, in Grand Coteau, Louisiana. She was the eighth of ten children born to Claude Bellemin and Edna Castille Bellemin. She graduated in 1935 after two years of college at the College of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau, then later earned a teaching degree from U.S.L., now University of Louisiana at Lafayette, in 1952. Of her 35 years teaching in elementary schools, 8 years were spent in the St. Landry Parish school system and the remaining 27 years were spent in the Lafayette Parish school system. She also spent 4 1/2 years supporting our country's WWII war effort by working in a laboratory in Port Neches, Texas (1941-1945). She married Oran Madison Perry on November 28, 1942. Alice was a member of the Lafayette Parish Teachers Association, the National Teachers Association, and the Louisiana Retired Teachers Association. Her Catholic faith was always a strong and guiding influence in her life; she enjoyed attending daily mass and assisting others whenever needed, especially delivering a home-cooked meal for a friend, neighbor or relative. She was a member the Immaculata Court #503 of the Catholic Daughters of Americas, the St. John the Evangelist Ladies Altar Society and the St. Ann's Society. This exceptional lady also enjoyed attending and hosting a Saturday night "Ladies Martini Group". She was ever the consummate "people person" and was dearly loved and will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her and whose lives she enriched with her grace, love and care. She was preceded in death by her husband of 28 years; her parents; her brothers Mike, Peter, George, Aloysious, Octave, Lloyd, John and Ariel and her sister, Lucille Bellemin Hutzler. She is survived by her special sister-in-law, Elaine Sellers Bellemin of Opelousas, LA, a host of nieces and nephews, and many dear relatives, friends and neighbors. Alice is also survived by two very dear, selflessly-devoted friends who were so helpful and attentive during her life and, especially, during her declining years, Catherine H. Mouton and Marie Lynn Martin. Sincere gratitude is extended to Dr. Michael Alexander and Dr. Glen Mire and their respective staffs; River Oaks Nursing Home staff; and Debra Broussard and sitters from Griswold Homecare for their individual and collective care and devotion to Alice. Visiting hours will be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA on Monday, May 6, 2013 from 8:30 am until the time of service with the praying of the rosary led by the Ladies Altar Society, the St. Ann's Society, and the Catholic Daughters of Americas, beginning at 9:00 am. Pallbearers will be her nephews, Michael Bellemin, John Leroy (Boy Blue) Bellemin, Carl Bellemin, Mickey Bellemin, Roy Bellemin and William H. "Billy" Mouton. Honorary pallbearers will be Walter Vincent, Arthur D. Mouton, Dr. Michael Alexander and O.L. Hutzler. At Alice's request, "Amazing Grace", "Ava Marie", "How Great Thou Art", and "The Wind Beneath My Wings" will be sung by (name of vocalist). Tom Neil will be the organist. Alice has requested that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist's Maintenance Fund, P.O. Drawer V, Lafayette, LA 70502 or to a charity of contributor's choice. Personal condolences may be sent to www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Alice Bellemin Perry

October 3, 1914 - May 1, 2013