Janell A. Sonnier

A "Wonderful Woman" has left the world, but the lessons of music, love, forgiveness and peace she leaves behind will live on in the lives of all whom she touched. Janell Ann McDowell Sonnier peacefully entered her eternal home on Sunday, September 27, 2015. She was born on May 30, 1932 in Weiser, Idaho and graduated with honors from Meadows Valley High School in New Meadows, Idaho. After graduation, while working at the local lodge, she met the love of her life, Alexander "Alex" Benjamin Sonnier. They were married on April 6, 1952, in McCall, Idaho and soon moved to Lafayette, Louisiana where they lived, worked, and raised their children. They were blessed with seven children. Janell was a hard-working, talented person. As a young girl, she received piano lessons, earning money for the lessons by doing housework for the local piano teacher. She accompanied choirs in school and played piano at the local Methodist Church. Janell's love of music carried on into her adult life. She played the organ at St. Genevieve Catholic Church and St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church. She accompanied choirs and cantors and provided music for liturgical celebrations, weddings and funerals. Because of her desire to help her son Michael, Janell enrolled at the University of Southwestern Louisiana in the mid 60's, majoring in Special Education. She graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Education Degree and later received her Masters Degree. Her first teaching position was as a third-grade teacher at St. Leo Elementary in Lafayette, Louisiana. Janell was a special education teacher for 20 years with the Lafayette Parish School System. She taught pre-school mentally handicapped children at Johnny Scott School, New Hope Center, Lerosen Special Education School and J. Wallace James Elementary. Her love and compassion for the children she taught earned her a Lafayette Parish Teacher of the Year nomination during the 1986-1987 school session. After retiring from the school system, she accepted employment with St. Genevieve Catholic School, a position that incorporated her two loves, education and music. For entertainment, Janell enjoyed playing the piano, gardening, crocheting and solving crossword puzzles with her husband Alex. Janell is survived by the love of her life of 63 years, Alex; her children, Rose Geer, Julie Breaux and her husband Kenny, Angelina "Angie" Verret and her husband Benny, James Sonnier and his wife Angela, Michael Sonnier and Patrick Sonnier and his girlfriend Elizabeth Guilbeaux; eleven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; her sister and brother-in-law, Ellen and Eldon Carpenter and their family and her brother-in-law, Wilson "Pete" Hebert and his family. She is preceded in death by her oldest son, Robert; her parents, Ralph McDowell and Opal McDowell Ball; her step-father, Celsus Ball; her mother-in-law, Rose Salizone Hebert, whom she loved like a mother; her sister-in-law, Harriet Hebert and her son-in-law, Edmund Geer. Funeral Services for Janell will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, October 1, 2015 in Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers. Reverend Thomas P. Voorhies, Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus in Ville Platte, LA will conduct funeral services. Proclaimers of the Word will be Kayla Trahan and Bailey Sonnier. Offertory gifts will be presented by Blaire Sonnier and Bailey Sonnier. General Intercessions by Tracy Verret. Janell will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery immediately following the services. Pallbearers will be Patrick Sonnier, John Shankles, Matthew Breaux, Brian Verret, Andrew Sonnier and Marc Breaux. Honorary Pallbearers will be James Sonnier, Michael Sonnier, Robert "Bobby" Verret and Madelynne Breaux. The family request that visitation will held on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 from 11:00 am until 9:00 pm. A Rosary will be recited on Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue on Thursday, October 1, 2015 from 8:00 am until time of service. Personal condolences may be sent to the Sonnier family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Janell A. Sonnier

May 30, 1932 - September 27, 2015