"Deanie" Bonin

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, June 18, 2013, 11:00 a.m. at St. Genevieve Catholic Church for Lafayette native Julie Willa Dean "Deanie" Bonin, who passed away at her residence surrounded by family on June 14, 2013. She was 78 years old. Father Donald Pousson with St. Bernard Church of Breaux Bridge will officiate the mass and conduct the funeral services. Lectors will be Margaux Hebert and Anna Walp; gift bearers, Jena Theriot, Sydni Hebert, Andi Romero, Sonny Ross Brasseaux, Amielle Rose Romero and Reese Hartenstein. Interment will follow the mass in Calvary Cemetery.
Survivors include seven daughters, Kerry Champagne of Breaux Bridge, Katie Barnes (James, Jr.) of Dallas, TX, Konie Heard (Dr. Michel) of Lafayette, Kelli April (Robert "Bobby") of New Orleans, Kara Hebert (Dr. Mitchell) of Baton Rouge, Kodi Calais of Phoenix, AZ, and  Kasi Boudreaux (Scotty) of Lafayette; the father of her seven daughters, Russell C. Calais; eleven grandchildren, Justin Champagne, Blake Baker, Eliot Brasseaux (Morgan), Dane Brasseaux, Jena Theriot, Jantz Theriot, Sydni Hebert, Margaux Hebert, Anna Walp, Andi Romero and Riley Romero; one step-granddaughter, Gabrielle April; two step grandsons, Dr. Michel Heard, Jr. (Katie) and Matthew Heard (Liz); two great-grandchildren, Sonny Ross Brasseaux and Reese Hartenstein; and four step-great granddaughters, Amielle Rose Romero, Audrey, Camille and Eleanore Heard.
She was preceded in death by her parents, the former Dolta Landry and George Huval; her husband, Tilden Bonin, Jr.; and her sister, Marian Huval.
As a young girl Deanie enjoyed the piano and entertained her mother, sister and uncles at numerous recitals. She was a member of The Catholic Daughters of St. Genevieve Parish, Lafayette High Alumni, class of 1953 where she enjoyed cheerleading, and reigned as Queen Mother of The St. Martinville Rotary Mardi Gras Ball. She was proud of her French heritage and frequently translated for the staff while employed at Travel Lodge Executive Plaza, welcoming French and Canadian visitors to Acadiana.
Known as "Honey" to her grandchildren and "The Life of the Party" to everyone she met, Deanie never met a stranger. She was the "go to girl" for expressing her opinion and her family coined her many one-liners as "Deanieisms". She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, shopping, cooking, gardening, dancing, traveling, entertaining friends, attending Mardi Gras festivities and ULL athletic events. Her calendar filled in quickly attending special events for her daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She had a zest for life and lived it to the fullest. Once you met her, you never forgot her colorful personality. She asked that we celebrate her life just as she did...... and always, laissez les bon temps rouler!
Pallbearers for the service will be Justin Champagne, Blake Baker, Eliot Brasseaux, Dane Brasseaux, Jantz Theriot, and Riley Romero. Honorary pallbearers include Dr. Mitchell Hebert, Dr. Michel Heard, Robert "Bobby" April, James Barnes, Jr., Scotty Boudreaux, Dana Champagne, Lance Theriot, and Thomas Walp.
The family requests that visitation be held on Monday, June 17, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. - 8:00  p.m., and resume on Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. A rosary will be led by Deacon Jay Bergeron Monday evening at 6:00 p.m. at Walters Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Research Foundation online at www.alzfdn.org.
The family extends its special thanks to St. Joseph Hospice, the Champagne family of Breaux Bridge, and all her private caregivers.