Jeris Theresa Blanchard Toce

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, October 20, 2010, at St. Mary Catholic Church for Jeris Theresa Blanchard Toce, 83, of Lafayette, Louisiana, who passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on Sunday, October 17, 2010. Reverend Hampton Davis, Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace, will be the Celebrant of the Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Gift bearers will be Allyson Houston, Kimberly Walker, Jordan Miguez and Jansen Dupuis. Entombment will be held at Calvary Mausoleum. The only child born to Walter and Cecilia Blanchard in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, on February 19, 1927, she began her life in the most loving of families. Although she was an only child, she grew up with a special cousin, Antoine. J. Theriot (A. J.), who was more like a brother to her. Mrs. Toce grew up speaking French, but often told the story of having to learn English in First Grade where the teacher would rap students on the hand with a ruler if they uttered a French word in school. After her graduation from Spencer Business College in Lafayette, Jeris met the love of her life, Waldemar O. Toce (Wally). Wally had to put much effort into courting Jeris in order to win her over. They were married on August 18, 1945 and a year later, their first son was born. Two daughters and another son were to follow, giving Jeris her most important role in life - being a loving, devoted and caring mother. In the beginning of her married life, Jeris worked as a secretary at Hub City Ford in Lafayette for several years. After staying home to raise her four children, she began working loyally alongside her husband at their company, W. O. Toce Oil and Gas Interests. Jeris was always Wally's favorite secretary. Jeris' life was blessed being full of family, friends and many cherished moments. For many years, she was an active member of the Oakbourne Women's Golf Association where she enjoyed playing golf regularly with her friends. She and her husband Wally enjoyed many wonderful holidays and vacations with friends and family at their beach home in Navarre Beach, Florida. She lovingly watched over her children and grandchildren playing in the surf. And once she mustered up enough courage to take a spin with Wally on the wave runner in the Gulf waters. Jeris, along with her husband, avidly supported the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Together they set up the W. O. and Jeris Toce Endowed Business Scholarship for the College of Business Administration. In recent years, Jeris enjoyed doting on her nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren and she was fondly known to them as 'Bomb'. She is survived by her devoted husband of 65 years, Waldemar Oran Toce, Sr., and her children, Dr. Waldemar Oran Toce, Jr. and Mary, Lafayette, LA; Jeri Dupuis and Rick, Lafayette, LA; Celi Trepanier and Yves, Huntsville, AL; and Blane Toce and Lisa, Lafayette, LA. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents. Visitation will be held at Delhomme Funeral Home of Lafayette on Wednesday from 10:00 am until the time of services. A rosary will be recited at 10:30 am by Deacon Julian Judice. Pallbearers will be James Breaux, Philip Breaux, Ryder Dupuis, Blane Toce, Jr., and Marc Trepanier. Honorary pallbearer will be A.J. Theriot. The family would like to thank Agnes Kilchrist, Sib, Laura, Alice and the other loving angels for their service. Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Ste 200, Lafayette, LA or The Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. Personal condolences may be sent to the Toce family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Jeris Theresa Blanchard Toce

February 19, 1927 - October 17, 2010