Therese LeBlanc Giroir

Therese Leblanc Giroir was called to God, her body being separated from her spirit, at 8:30 pm on December 14, 2008. While her body is at peace, her spirit will remain alive forever. She was 90 years old. Funeral services will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church Saturday morning December 20, 2008 at 11:00. Therese is survived by her son Paul Joseph Giroir and his wife Charlotte, her granddaughter Shannon Marie Giroir and husband Travis Head of Austin, Texas, her grandson Ryan Jacob Giroir of Lafayette. She is also survived by two sister-in-laws Al Martin and Shirley Giroir as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Therese was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years L.J. "Jake" Giroir, her parents Alida and Charles Leblanc, her brother Felix Leblanc, two half- sisters Claire Breaux Rachel Villien, and two half-brothers Ralph Martin and Claude Martin. Born on January 4, 1918 in Carencro, Therese received her education from Carencro School and then completed a two year program in Secretarial Studies at SLI in Lafayette. After her schooling, she went to work for the LA State Government in Baton Rouge in 1936. Through a mutual friend she met the man of her dreams, Jake Giroir, in 1943. They married two years later and had their only child Paul in 1946. When Therese and Jake lived in New Iberia, Therese began a banking career that would continue for nearly forty years. With a family move to Morgan City, she began working with Citizens National Bank, later to become First National Bank. Therese retired from the same bank after 30 years of service. Therese loved the banking business, being quite successful in her duties. It is possible that she would not have decided to retire had the bank not strongly suggested that she trade her typewriter in for a computer. Besides her love for banking, she enjoyed her home and flower gardens, being a meticulous housekeeper and maintaining beautifully manicured flower beds. She had an exceptional green thumb. Cooking was definitely another one of her attributes, especially Sunday Dinners of Pork Roast and Chicken Fricasse' , and of course, she had her favorite pastime of going out to eat with friends, family and co-workers at restaurants along the levee, including the Cypress Inn. Therese and Jake resided in Morgan City until 2001, moving to Lafayette to be closer to their son and family during their remaining retirement years. Therese will be deeply missed being remembered for her devotion to God and family. She was very generous, giving to those less fortunate as a sincere patron to Saint Jude. Therese was a unique person, a happy mixture of who she was. Surely, now Therese and Jake are back together riding jeep trails on the roads of Heaven. Honorary pallbearers will be Shirley Giroir, Ryan Giroir, Shannon Giroir, Travis Head, Marie Claire Cheramie, Dicky Talbot, F.G. Leblanc, Gordon Reed, Jackie Leblanc Swenson and Charlotte Leblanc Gammill. Visitation will begin at 9:30 at St. Pius X Church, a rosary prayed at 10:15 before the funeral mass at 11:00. The family especially thanks caregivers Eva Roy, Louella Morrison, Mary Melancon, and Michelle Sinegal: extending appreciation and thanks to the staffs of Kingsley Place and Hospice of Acadiana for their care. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston street, Ste 200, Lafayette, La. 70503. Personal condolences may be sent to the family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, La, is in charge of all arrangements.

Therese LeBlanc Giroir

January 4, 1918 - December 14, 2008