Gwendolyn L. Watson

John 11:25-26 Jesus said “I Am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.” Gwendolyn Leger Watson died at the age of 91 and went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on June 8th, 2023, at 12:16 PM in Baton Rouge, LA at The Crossing at Clarity Hospice Hospital. Gwen was born on June 2, 1932, in the home of her grandparents, Martin and Bernadette Young in Basile, LA. She was the only child of Clifton (Ben) Leger and Bertille (Young) Leger. Gwen grew up in Ville Platte LA and graduated in 1948 from Ville Platte High School. She made many lifelong friends while attending school and was especially close to Marlene (Roberts) Milam, Nellie Daire, and Mildred Lyles. She was editor of the yearbook, captain of the girl’s basketball team, cheerleader, and head majorette. After graduation she attended Our Lady of the Lake School of Nursing in Baton Rouge, LA. Gwen married the love of her life, her high school sweetheart, Kenneth H. Pucheu, Sr. in 1951. They had three children, Paula Marie Pucheu, Jeanne (Pucheu) Atchetee, and Kenneth H. Pucheu, Jr. Gwen and Kenneth lived in Venice, LA from 1959 to 1964 with Kenneth working as a petroleum engineer for Chevron Oil Co. and Gwen working for McCullough Tool Co. as a secretary. They forged close friendships with the families living in “The Camp”. They befriended Ronald and Janice Johnson, their next-door neighbors, who would go on to be their dearest lifelong friends. Gwen, Kenneth, and their children moved to New Orleans, LA from 1964 to 1968 where sadly, Kenneth died at the age of 36 from cancer in 1968. Gwen and her children moved to Lafayette. LA in 1968 to be by family, living four doors down from Kenneth’s older brother, Charles F. Pucheu, his wife Elaine (Guillory) Pucheu and daughters Carmen Elaine Pucheu and Pennye Anne Pucheu. Gwen remarried in 1969 to Christopher Watson, Jr. They would be married for 46 years. They traveled extensively and were longtime members of The Episcopal Church of the Ascension. Over the years, Gwen worked as an executive secretary in the oil and gas industry until retirement in 1987. Gwen attended Bible Study Fellowship after retirement and went on to be a children’s leader in their program. Gwen loved to play tennis, work in her beautiful yard and travel with her friends. She and Chris were voracious readers, reading 20 to 30 books every three weeks. In 2015, Chris died and Gwen moved to Baton Rouge, LA to live at Holly Court Assisted Living and Memory Care. She lived there until the time of her death. Gwen lived a full and wonderful life. She was greatly loved by family and friends. Her eternal optimism radiated throughout her life and affected all those around her. Gwen is survived by her children, Jeanne Pucheu Atchetee (Russell), Kenneth H. Pucheu, Jr. (Darla) her grandchildren, Kenneth H. Pucheu, III (Michelle), Amanda Katherine Meyer, Bryan Oliver Atchetee (Kelly), Erin Atchetee Heels (Matthew), Christopher Pucheu, and her great grandchildren Oliver Ray Atchetee, Amelia Rose Atchetee, and Jean Luc Pucheu. She is preceded in death by her parents Clifton (Ben) Leger, Bertille (Young) Leger, her daughter, Dr. Paula Marie Pucheu, her first husband and father of her children Kenneth H. Pucheu, Sr., and her second husband Christopher Watson, Jr. Services will be held Wednesday, June 14th, 2023 at Delhomme Funeral Home Chapel, 1011 Bertrand Dr., Lafayette, LA. Visitation will be from 11 AM to 1 PM with services commencing at 1 PM. The family’s private internment ceremony will be at the columbarium at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension. The family would like to thank her loving care givers, Tina Roby, Dyniasti Roby, and Diana Banks. These godly women loved Gwen like their own families. Gwen was taken care of to the moment of her last breath on this earth. We love you dearly for your devotion and love toward Gwen. We would also like to thank Terry O’Bryan Atchetee, director of Holly Court Assisted Living & Memory Care until June 2022 and currently of The Crossing of Clarity Hospice Hospital as Director of Nursing. Terry, you loved Mom and took care of her every need until she died. We love you and trusted you to make the hard decisions to give Gwen the best quality of life & care. Your godly wisdom and love for Gwen gave us inestimable peace and assurance she was in the best of care. We love you sister! Thank you, Ms. Gloria for watching over Gwen and being her precious friend. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Personal condolences may be sent to the Watson family via their Tribute Wall. Gwendolyn L. Watson and her family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Delhomme Funeral Home - Bertrand, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA. Copyright Delhomme Funeral Homes, Inc. June 2023

Gwendolyn L. Watson

June 2, 1932 - June 8, 2023