Elizabeth Joyce Broussard Gauthier

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 28, 2024 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Maurice, LA for Elizabeth Joyce Broussard Gauthier. The Rev. Paul Bienvenu will celebrate the mass. Internment will take place at St. Alphonsus Mausoleum. Joyce departed us on October 25, 2024. She was mother to seven children and a mother figure to many more, including 18 grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and many students from her 20-year teaching career. She always had fresh coffee and a home-cooked meal. She sometimes said, “My home is a restaurant that never closes.” Joyce was born on June 23, 1928, in Maurice, Louisiana, where she was a lifelong resident. Growing up as the only girl in a family of five siblings, Joyce enjoyed feeling watched over by her brothers. She often recalled her favorite childhood Christmas present: a doll in a trunk with her own clothes and skates. Joyce graduated from Maurice High School in 1945 and Southwestern Louisiana Institute in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in education. She was a math and social studies teacher at Maurice and North Vermilion high schools and is well-remembered by her many students. “When I saw that almost all my teachers had maids, I wanted that. Then I also wanted to get married and have children. I just hadn’t counted on so many. I love the whole bunch, however.” She is preceded in death by her spouse, Lester James Gauthier Sr.; her parents, Ducre Joseph Broussard and Olive Marie Trahan; siblings Wilburt Joseph Broussard, Henry Fred Broussard, and Raymond Demas Broussard; son-in-law Wayne Weber; and grandson Damien Clements. She cherished her lifelong and enduring friendship with her best friend, Alberta Villien Winch. She married Lester in 1947. The two shared a love of Bourré and participated in regular card games with friends. Joyce continued this tradition until the pandemic. An avid reader, Joyce could complete up to five books per week. Her love of country music is documented in the notepads she kept with details of her favorite artists written in longhand. Her favorite music, however, was the big bands. Joyce put her sharp mind to use by solving countless jigsaw and crossword puzzles. Her contributions to her community and teaching career are documented in a front-page article published in Abbeville Meridional (April 27, 2017). She attended St. Alphonsus Catholic church, where she was a member of the Ladies Alter Society. She is survived by children Lester James Gauthier Jr. (Irene), Janice Elizabeth Gauthier Weber, Angela Colette Gauthier Landry (Benny), Martin David Gauthier (Pam), Olivia Rita Gauthier Steflik (Martin), Gordon Joseph Gauthier (Tamara), Steven John Gauthier (Vivian); grandchildren Roxanne C. Hare, Hans Breaux, Michelle Gauthier Roberson, Camille Gauthier, Michael Gauthier, Seth Gauthier, Brittany Gauthier Cahill, Cody Gauthier, Jacob Gauthier, Nicholas Gauthier, Trinity Gauthier, Caleb Gauthier, Nathan Gauthier, Stacy Steflik, Alexis Kline, Zephyr Gauthier, Shelby Gauthier Coludrovich and Chloe Gauthier; great-grandchildren Courtney Q. Hare, Kade Gauthier, Gunner Gauthier, Owen Cahill, Annabel Cahill, Preston Cahill, Harper Gauthier, Kaiden Dechamps, Kalli Dechamps, Jessie Faye Kline, Alexia Genevieve Roberson; and her brother, Roderick Ducre Broussard. Very special thanks to Joyce’s caregivers Nicole, Yolanda, and Delsay. Pallbearers are Seth Gauthier, Cody Gauthier, Michael Gauthier, Jacob Gauthier, Nicholas Gauthier, and Chris Hare. Honorary pallbearer, Hans Breaux. Visitation will take place on Monday October 28 at 8:00 AM. A rosary will be recited at the funeral home at 10:00 AM. The funeral service will be at 11:00 AM in St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Maurice. Personal condolences may be sent to the family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com Delhomme Funeral Home, 200 Chief H. Fred Ave, Maurice, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Elizabeth Joyce Broussard Gauthier

June 23, 1928 - October 25, 2024