Paula Marie Pucheu

II Timothy 4:7:8 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who longed for His appearing." Doctor Paula Marie Pucheu, age 58, died peacefully and went to be with her Lord, at her parent's home, on June 10 with her family by her side. A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church on Monday at 10:00 am celebrating her life. Visitation with the family will begin at 8:00 am and will continue until the time of services. Reverend Steve Horn will officiate and Eulogist will be Dr. Warren Johnson, lifelong family friend. Her favorite hymns, "It Is Well With My Soul", "Because He Lives", "God Be With You Until We Meet Again", Amazing Grace", and "Breathe On Me Breath of God" will be sung by her friends, Jessica Koski and Tamarah Wales accompanied by Mrs. Nell Lokey, organist. Dr. Pucheu grew up in New Orleans, moved to Lafayette after the death of her father, and later made her home in Crowley. She was a loving mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to all who knew her. She is survived by her loving daughter, Amanda Meyer, her parents, Chris and Gwen Watson, her sister Jeanne Atchetee' and her husband Russell, nephew Bryan Atchetee' and niece, Erin Atchetee'; her brother, Kenneth Pucheu, Jr. and his wife Darla, nephews Kenneth Pucheu, III and Christopher Pucheu and her cousins Pennye Pucheu and Carmen Pucheu. She is preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Pucheu, Sr.; paternal grandparents, Charles and Lillie Mae Pucheu; and maternal grandparents, Clifton and Bertille Leger. Dr. Pucheu was coordinator of student support services at LSUE, where the joys of her life were her friends and her students who loved and prayed for her. Special thanks to Judy Guillory and Caletta Soileau for your friendship. Paula attended college at USL and LSU and received her PhD at UNO in 2008. She was a member of First Baptist Church and was so thankful for her beloved church family who loved and inspired her. Her pastor, Dr. Steve Horn, who loved, challenged, encouraged, and prayed faithfully for her. The choir who made her heart soar in worship to the Lord, and most especially, to Rachel Jeyusi's Ladies Sunday School Class who loved her unconditionally and prayed fervently for her and her family until the end. Paula wrote poetry, loved art, music, oil painting, gardening, and dragon boat racing. Paula wishes to thank her friends with "Cajun Invasion" dragon boat racing, especially her lifelong friend, Janice Johnson, who inspired her to get out of bed and get on the boat. They allowed her to compete with them not only in races but in the fight for life, that each one of them as cancer survivors, were waging every day. Paula wants to thank her friends in her Pokeno group, who brought great fun and joy in her life. The family would like to thank the staff of Woman's Hospital of Baton Rouge. From Admitting, Cathy in CT, Radiology, Radiologists, Dr. Gremillion, Dr. Wynters, et al, Ultrasound techs, nurses of Radiology, Nutrition, Robin Maggio of Counseling Services who helped us make the right decision to come home to die with dignity, the nurses on the Oncology Floor (6th floor), most especially "Miss" Mary who all lovingly and compassionately cared for Paula during her two year battle with ovarian cancer. Lastly, her doctor, Dr. Milton Giles Fort, and his staff who fought valiantly to keep her alive and had the wisdom and compassion to let us know when it was time to go home to die. We are deeply grateful. Our thanks to Hospice of Acadiana, especially Dr. Morris Hoffpauir and nurse Judith Crowder, who in her last week of life, brought loving, pain free, compassionate care to Paula. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Acadiana at 2600 Johnston Street, Ste 200, Lafayette, LA, 70506, to The Cajun Invasion dragon boat team at www.cajuninvasion.org, or to The American Cancer Society at P.O. Box 52884, Lafayette, LA 70505-2884. Personal condolences may be sent to the Pucheu family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Paula Marie Pucheu

December 8, 1951 - June 10, 2010