Frances "Fran" A. Barbato

A funeral service will honor and celebrate the life of Frances A. Barbato at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at First Baptist Church with Dr. Steve Horn and Pastor Scott English officiating. Visitation will be observed on Friday, January 17, 2025 from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Delhomme Funeral Home (1011 Bertrand Drive) and on Saturday, January 18, 2025 from 9:00 AM until time of service at First Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Lafayette Memorial Park Cemetery. Fran, “Frannie,” was born February 24, 1951 in Alexandria, LA to Pat and Lou Aertker. She graduated from Menard Central High School and went on to Marymount College in Virginia for her associates in Education before graduating from Louisiana State University with her bachelor’s degree in Education and master’s degree in Gifted and Special Education. A blind date while at LSU led to meeting Danny Barbato, the love of her life, and they were married in May 1973 in Pineville, LA. Together, they pursued the common goal of following Jesus Christ and raising a family of faith. As the second of nine children, Frannie grew up helping, organizing, and guiding her younger siblings. She started setting up her classroom of baby dolls at a young age and moved on to inspire students of all ages and abilities for forty plus years. She started out by teaching life skills to special needs children. Then, she taught multiple grade levels at Ascension Episcopal School before spending many years as an administrator. Frannie led the growth of Ascension’s middle school and spearheaded the opening of Ascension’s upper school. Even after retiring from Ascension, she continued to teach math for ESL (English as a Second Language) students. She volunteered with VITA (Volunteer Instructors Teaching Adults) inspiring adult students to earn their high school diploma. She also challenged educators to grow through the accreditation process for First Baptist Christian School. Her faith in Christ, creativity in problem solving, and love for all God’s children shined through wherever she taught. Frannie loved learning, and she continued to grow and stretch her mind throughout her life. She served as chair of the board of the Louisiana Baptist Foundation and loved the opportunity to contribute through that organization. Whether learning a new knitting pattern to make gifts or discovering a new recipe or board game to share with grandchildren or friends, she lived with purpose and intention. Although Frannie wore many “hats” as a wife, mother, grandmother, educator, administrator, tutor, and friend, her greatest achievement and joy was in walking with Jesus. She found her identity as a daughter of the Most High God, beloved by her Redeemer, and chosen by the Master Teacher. Despite the health challenges of cancer, she continued to serve others, trusted God’s plan for her life, and radiated joy to all she met. Frannie is survived by her three children, Cullen Griffin Barbato (Sarah) of Austin, TX, Lindley Barbato Palmer (Greg) of Lafayette, LA, and Sarah Brooks Barbato of Lafayette; her siblings, Nancy McCabe (John) of Alexandra, LA; Walter Aertker (Gayle) of Franklin, TN; Carol Lord of Vero Beach, FL; Mary Neblett (Tabb) of Dallas, TX; Catherine Manning (Rodney) of Lafayette, LA; Emily Boland of Lafayette, LA; Robert Aertker (Johane) of Sarasota, FL, and Paul Aertker (Katherine) of Florida; and her five grandchildren, Jackson Luca Barbato, Gregory Lee Palmer, III, Anne Calvert Palmer, Emily Claire Barbato, and Daniel Hampton Palmer; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Danny Barbato, and her parents, Walter Patrick Aertker and Lou Brooks Aertker. Pallbearers will be her brothers, Walter Aertker, Robert Aertker, and Paul Aertker; her brothers-in-law, Don Barbato and Daryl Barbato; her son-in-law, Greg Palmer; and her grandsons, Jack Barbato, Lee Palmer, and Daniel Palmer. The family wishes to express special thanks to Dr. Phillippe Prouet, Dr. Jacob Estes, Emily Levy, PA, Dr. Wayne Cestia, Dr. Nick Leonards, and Hospice of Acadiana. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to First Baptist Church (Lafayette, LA), First Baptist Christian School (Lafayette, LA), or Hospice of Acadiana. Personal condolences may be sent to the Barbato family at: www.delhommefuneralhome.com Frances A. Barbato and her family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA. Copyright Delhomme Funeral Homes, Inc. January 2025.

Frances "Fran" A. Barbato

February 24, 1951 - January 13, 2025