Doris Mae Duhon Bienvenu

Doris Mae Duhon Bienvenu passed away peacefully from this life on Tuesday, August 7,2012 at her home in Lafayette after a very long battle with Alzheimer's, joining her husband of 64 years, Louis Francis Bienvenu. She was 85 years of age at the time. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 11, 2012 at Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers. Reverend Vincent Bulus will conduct the funeral services. Burial will take place in Fountain Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Those left behind are her daughter, Cherie Robira, her children, Jason Robira and Christian Robira; daughter, Frances McMath, her husband, Chuck McMath and their children Mickal McMath and his wife Amanda and their daughter, Adalie, Lauren Harris, her husband, Patrick and their children, Madison and Kathryn Gumfory and Grahm Harris: Zackary McMath and his wife Melodie; her son, Morris Bienvenu, his wife, Diane Judice Bienvenu, their two sons, Casey Bienvenu and Dustin Bienvenu; her sisters-in-law Stephanie DeRouen and Dot Bienvenu and brother-in-law Mickey Bienvenu, nieces, Emma Gayle Fontenot, Danielle Deik, Stephanie Pellerin. Nephews, Jimmy LeBlanc, Brian LeBIanc and Carl Lutgring, as well as countless other students whose lives she has touched and whose lives touched her. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Louis Francis Bienvenu, her parents, Emma Barras Duhon and Morris Duhon; her daughter, Mary Elizabeth Bienvenu, her grandson, Brett Bienvenu and one sister, Ruth D LeBIanc. Born in Lafayette on January 24, 1927, Doris attended Mount Carmel Elementary and graduated from Lafayette High School. She then received her Bachelor of Arts from SLI, Master of Education in Music from USL, and Education Specialist Degree from USL. She began her teaching career as an elementary teacher at Judice Elementary, Piano Instructor at the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Choral Director at East Jefferson High School, Music Coordinator at Our Lady of Fatima, Physical Education and Music Coordinator at N.P. Moss Elementary, Choral Director at Lafayette High School and then Acadiana High School. Her choruses were her life and every student a treasure and they were consistently winning honors for their performances. She retired in 1984 but continued her involvement in Education by teaching Vocal Music at the Lafayette Parish Arts Academy and with the University College at USL teaching music on the "DOORS" and 7/7 Industrial Technology Programs and Director of Church Choirs. She served as adjudicator, administrator, clinician, and guest choral director throughout Louisiana and was inducted into the Louisiana Music Educators Association Music Hall of Fame in 1988. She was a member of the Acadiana Arts Council and Visions of Lafayette Education Task Force. She was also a member of the Soundwaves, a community Pop Choral Group and Beta Sigma Phi National Social/Cultural Club. She was President of Lafayette Parish Retired Teachers Association, First Vice President of Louisiana Retired Teacher Association, President of Louisiana Retired Teachers Association (1994), and President of Louisiana AARP. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Jason Robira, Mickal McMath, Christian Robira, Zackery McMath, Casey Bienvenu, and Dustin Bienvenu. The family would like to thank Nancy and Rickey LeLeux who were so kind and helpful during her most difficult time. The family would also like to thank Hospice of Acadiana, and Comp-U-Care for providing compassion, comfort and care. Donations may be made in Mrs. Bienvenu's name to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Suite 200, Lafayette, LA, 70503 or to the Alzheimer's Association, 107 Global Circle, Suite 203, Lafayette, LA, 70503. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home of Lafayette on Friday, August 10, 2012 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm and resume on Saturday from 8:00 am until the time of service. A rosary will be recited in the funeral home Friday evening at 7:00 pm. Personal condolences may be sent to the Bienvenu family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Doris Mae Duhon Bienvenu

January 24, 1927 - August 7, 2012