Irene Dugal

aligncenterIRENE BERTINOT DUGAL
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Funeral services for Irene Bertinot Dugal, 104, who passed away Wednesday, October 3, 2007, will be held at a 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, October 6, 2007 in St. Landry Catholic Church.
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Interment will take place in Bellevue Memorial Cemetery in Opelousas.
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Irene Bertinot was born in Sunset, LA on August 7, 1903. She grew up in the Sunset area and attended first through 10th grade in the SunsetGrand Coteau area. After completing 10th grade, she elected to continue her education in Opelousas. She graduated from the 11th grade, the highest level of high school education at the time, as salutatorian. Afterward, she attended SLI, presently known as UL-Lafayette, where she earned a teaching certificate. At the age of 16, in her first schoolteacher position, Irene found herself in Pitreville teaching students of various ages and grade levels in a one room school house. She often remarked that she loved teaching so much and was amazed to find that they paid her to do what she loved. Irene later moved to Prairie Ronde where she taught until her marriage to Clifford Dugal, a local farmer and longtime friend, in 1925. In later years, after raising her family, she took on the position of President as well as Chief Accountant of the family farm, J.E. Bertinot Sons.
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Irene led a long and fulfilling life and was proudly independent, living alone for over 30 years after her husbands death. She often attributed her kindness and easy going manner to the grandmother who raised her after her mother and sisters deaths. She fondly remembered her adventures as the only girl amongst eight brothers. She became an expert seamstress and enjoyed sewing clothes for her children and grandchildren. She was an avid reader, known to stay up late and read if the book was just too good to put down. She was a wonderful cook and created many recipes from her own pantry. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family. She always said that no visit was too late and that family was always welcome to visit no matter the timeif one were to show up late enough, a midnight snack would likely be provided Stories and insight of her long life have been a blessing to her family and friends. Irene always kept abreast of current events, showing interest in politics and technological developments. Irene lived through the Great Depression, the sinking of the Titanic, both World Wars, Kennedys Assassination, and the more recent terrorist attacks on our country. She was born before the Wright Brothers first flight and lived to see modern Space Exploration. The memories she shared of horse drawn carriages, the first electric lights and how others in the community thought them to be dark magic, and her days spent playing basketball in high school will always be treasured by those who were lucky enough to know her.
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Irene is survived by her son, Paul Dugal and wife, Mary Ann, of Opelousas, her daughter, Patricia LeBlanc and husband, Marcel, of Opelousas, grandchildren, Claudia Ann Dugal of Round Rock, TX, Catherine D. Cahanin and husband, Lee, of Opelousas, Mark Dugal of Opelousas, Jeanne LeBlanc of Arnaudville, Judy L. Gonsorek and husband, Dennis, of Michigan City, IN, Susan L. Nicholson and her husband, John, of Kingwood, TX and Christopher LeBlanc and his wife, Ann, of the Woodlands, TX. Irene is survived by great-grandchildren, Charlton Harrison and wife, Liz, Dimitri Hammond, Aimee Cahanin, Eric Cahanin, Sarah S. Landry and husband, Keith, Allison Saizon, Alex Saizon and wife, Deanna, Ashlie Rice, Jenny Rice, Greg Rice, Hillary Gonsorek, Ian Gonsorek, Johnny Nicholson, Andrew Nicholson, Olivia LeBlanc and Christopher LeBlanc and great-great-grandchildren, Christa Harrison, Stacy Harrison and Benjamin Saizon, and a host of new friends made during her short stay at Prompt Succor Nursing Home.
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She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford P. Dugal, parents, Jules E. Bertinot and Beulah Daily Bertinot, brothers, Chapman Bertinot, Anthony Bertinot and Edward Bertinot, sister, Julia Bertinot, half-brothers, Gerald Bertinot and Carrol Bertinot, step- brothers, Louis Dugal and Bill Dugal and grandson, James Patrick Dugal.
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Irene will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
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The family requests that visiting hours be observed Friday from 3 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and will continue Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until time of service.
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A rosary will be recited Friday at 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
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Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Homes, 2845 S. Union St., Opelousas, LA is in charge of all funeral arrangements.
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Visitation

Lafond Ardoin Funeral Home
2845 S. Union Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Friday, October 5, 2007
3:00PM to 9:00PM

Service

Church

St. Landry Catholic Church
1020 N. Main Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Saturday, October 6, 2007
10:00AM

Cemetery

Bellevue Memorial ParkH
S. Union Street
Opelousas, LA  70570