Lite' Bienvenu

BreauxBridge - Lit Bonin Bienvenu, originally from LeRoy, Louisiana, was born August 29, 1921, and was the daughter of Henry and Theoza Simon Bonin. After receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree in 1942 at SLI (University of Louisiana at Lafayette), she married Joseph Andrew Bienvenu, Jr. of St. Martinville, and they lived in the Breaux Bridge area for 53 years. After Andrew's death in 1996, she lived the remainder of her years in Lafayette. Lit is survived by her seven children and their families: Joseph Andrew Bienvenu III (Andy) and his wife, Clemence 'Jeanie' Bourque (Breaux Bridge), Mary Sanchez (Breaux Bridge), Pauline and her husband, Philip Landry (Breaux Bridge), David and his wife, Noreen Records (The Woodlands, Texas), Alice and her husband, Harlan Denais (Lafayette), Luke and his wife, Juanita Hernandez (Patterson), and Lucy Ellender (Breaux Bridge). Lit and Andrew were blessed with 17 grandchildren and their families have grown to include 22 great grandchildren with 2 more due this year. Mrs. Bienvenu has one surviving brother, Lloyd Bonin of Maurice. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Andrew; her sisters, Hilda Langlinais Porter and Benit Bonin; Don Sanchez and Brian Ellender, her sons-in-law; and one great-grandchild, Cody Joseph Pourciau. Mrs. Bienvenu had a long and accomplished career, retiring after 36 years including the 15 years she was employed with the State of Louisiana as Director of Child and Family Services for the Parish of St. Martin. She enjoyed 31 years of retirement traveling extensively with her husband Andrew and belonging to several Winnebago motor home clubs. She maintained membership and held offices in many civic and religious organizations including, St Bernard Church Altar Society, St. Bernard Church Catholic Daughters (50+ years), and St. Bernard School Foundation. She was active in St. Martin Parish AARP, St. Martin Hospital Pink Ladies, the Quilters Guild of Acadiana, Retired State Employee Association, St. Martin Parish Retired Teachers, the St. Martin Parish Rural Development Committee, St. Martin Parish Family and Community Educators (FCE). She was active with her Alma Mater belonging to the USL Alumni Association, the Home Economics Alumni group, which recognized her as their 1998-99 Outstanding Home Economics/Human Resources Alumnus, and the 50+ Chapter at USL. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at the funeral home from 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Monday, February 20, 2012. A rosary will be prayed by the St. Bernard Altar Society and the Catholic Daughters at 7 p.m., and visitation will continue on Tuesday at 7 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 21, 2012, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Breaux Bridge, with Fr. Louis Allen Breaux officiating. Scriptures will be read by Wendy Breath and Aaron Landry. Gift Bearers will be Michelle and Bridget Bienvenu. Burial will follow at St. Michael's Cemetery in St. Martinville. Pall Bearers will be grandsons, Aaron Landry, Kevin Landry, Damian Denais, Brian (BJ) Ellender, Jr., Joshua Ellender, David Bienvenu, Jr., Greg Bienvenu, Christopher Bienvenu, Stephen Bienvenu, and Andrew Bienvenu. Honorary Pall Bearers will be granddaughters, Amy Bienvenu, Wendy Breath, Chrissy Eyde, Kelly Bienvenu, Andrea Pourciau, Michelle Bienvenu, and Bridget Bienvenu. In lieu of flowers, her family asks that memorials be made in Mrs. Bienvenu's name to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston St., Ste. 200, Lafayette, LA 70503. Pellerin Funeral Home, 211 Berard St., BreauxBridge, LA 70517 (337.332.2199), is in charge of arrangements. To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and view video tribute, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com