New Iberia - A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2018, at Nativity of Our Lady Catholic Church in New Iberia for Marion "Big Tut" Berard Courtois, 92, who passed away on Monday, December 17, 2018, in New Iberia.
Entombment will follow in Holy Family Cemetery.
Rev. Mario Romero will be the Celebrant.
A gathering of family and friends will be Saturday from 9:00 am until 12:15 pm at Pellerin Funeral Home in New Iberia. A rosary will be prayed at 10:30 am Saturday.
A lifelong area resident, Ms. Courtois was born on March 15, 1926 in Loreauville to the late Bertin and Belle Maraist Berard. She was engaged in science education at the secondary level in the areas of Chemistry and Physics for a total of 42.5 years, serving on the faculty of New Iberia Senior High for 32.5 years, St. Joseph School in Jeanerette for four years and at Catholic High School and Mt. Carmel Academy in New Iberia for 6 years. Additionally, she tutored many students at both the secondary and college levels. She estimated that during her teaching career, she provided instruction in mathematics and science to a minimum of 4250 students.
Ms. Courtois has been a member of the Iberia Retired Teachers’ Association since 1980; Alpha Omega Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional society for teachers since 1963; Daughters of the American Revolution since 1983; and the Iberia Golf and Country Club from 1960 until its dissolution. Ms. Courtois was an avid golfer and loved working in her yard.
Survivors include her daughters, Michelle C. Evans and husband Tom of New Iberia, Claire C. Churchman and husband Scott of Katy, Texas; grandchildren, Lauren Lopresto Tafaro and spouse Peter, Michael David Lopresto, Jr. and spouse Jennifer, Andrew Jean Courtois and spouse Shannon, Bradley Scott Churchman; great grandchildren, Anthony Joseph Lopresto, Elia Marie Lopresto, Connor William Tafaro, Cameron Jeanne Tafaro; and daughter-in-law, Theresa Hicks Courtois of New Iberia.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gilbert John Courtois, Jr.; son, Dr. Gilbert J. Courtois, III; and a grandson, Kevin Hicks Courtois.
The family would like to give special thanks to Ms. Courtois’ caregivers Wanda, Jadda, Trisha, and Trula.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to Catholic High School, 1301 DeLaSalle Drive, New Iberia, 70560.
Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560, (337-365-3331) is in charge of arrangements.
