Mary
Mary "Grace" Irwin
d. December 12, 2016
Mary Grace Amy Irwin of Breaux Bridge, born March 23, 1931, left this earth December 12, 2016 the day after attending a great-grandchild's christening party. She shared her last day with her family celebrating life.
Services will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2016 at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Breaux Bridge at 11:00 am. Reverend Monsignor Keith Derouen, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Opelousas will celebrate the mass and conduct the funeral services. Interment will follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Henderson alongside her husband and parents.
A native of Henderson and longtime resident of Breaux Bridge, Grace was born the daughter of Atchafalaya River merchants in Krotz Springs. Her life was a course on overcoming adversity and striving for better for her family. She became a parent at a young age, and with five children in tow, followed her husband and his naval career to Lafayette, Green Cove, Florida, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Austin, Texas, New Orleans and back to Breaux Bridge.
The former owner of Amy's Grocery and Fisheries in Henderson, Grace retired from commerce in 1996. An expert seamstress, Grace fashioned numerous First Communion, homecoming and graduation dresses for her daughters. She loved music, art, popular literature, dancing and traveling and visited many foreign countries with her husband, Bob. She enjoyed entertaining and was part of an informal Breaux Bridge supper club. Entertaining frequently, her home was always beautifully appointed and decorated by her skilled eye. She also loved gardening and took up painting later in life.
Grace served in the Crawfish Festival Association and was a member of the Krewe of Zeus and Krewe of Victoria and portrayed Coco Chanel in their 2003 tableau. She was also a friend to the humanities and supported the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra. She served God as a member of the Louisiana Theresians Joie de Vivre Community of Breaux Bridge.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert K. Irwin; parents, Joseph and Mathilde Amy of Henderson, and grandson Gantt Nicholson IV. She is survived by her children Kathleen and Harris (Buddy) Pellerin of Baton Rouge; Cynthia Irwin of Breaux Bridge; Sam and Betty Irwin of Baton Rouge; Susan and David Langston of Breaux Bridge; and Carolyn and Tony Courville of Breaux Bridge. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 from 2:00 - 10:00 pm at Walters Funeral Home. Visitation will resume on Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 8:00 am until time of service. A rosary will be prayed on Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm.
Sign the guestbook online at waltersfh.com.
Walters Funeral Home, 2424 N. University Ave., Lafayette, La. 70507; 337.706.8941 is in charge of arrangements.
Services will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2016 at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Breaux Bridge at 11:00 am. Reverend Monsignor Keith Derouen, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Opelousas will celebrate the mass and conduct the funeral services. Interment will follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Henderson alongside her husband and parents.
A native of Henderson and longtime resident of Breaux Bridge, Grace was born the daughter of Atchafalaya River merchants in Krotz Springs. Her life was a course on overcoming adversity and striving for better for her family. She became a parent at a young age, and with five children in tow, followed her husband and his naval career to Lafayette, Green Cove, Florida, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Austin, Texas, New Orleans and back to Breaux Bridge.
The former owner of Amy's Grocery and Fisheries in Henderson, Grace retired from commerce in 1996. An expert seamstress, Grace fashioned numerous First Communion, homecoming and graduation dresses for her daughters. She loved music, art, popular literature, dancing and traveling and visited many foreign countries with her husband, Bob. She enjoyed entertaining and was part of an informal Breaux Bridge supper club. Entertaining frequently, her home was always beautifully appointed and decorated by her skilled eye. She also loved gardening and took up painting later in life.
Grace served in the Crawfish Festival Association and was a member of the Krewe of Zeus and Krewe of Victoria and portrayed Coco Chanel in their 2003 tableau. She was also a friend to the humanities and supported the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra. She served God as a member of the Louisiana Theresians Joie de Vivre Community of Breaux Bridge.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert K. Irwin; parents, Joseph and Mathilde Amy of Henderson, and grandson Gantt Nicholson IV. She is survived by her children Kathleen and Harris (Buddy) Pellerin of Baton Rouge; Cynthia Irwin of Breaux Bridge; Sam and Betty Irwin of Baton Rouge; Susan and David Langston of Breaux Bridge; and Carolyn and Tony Courville of Breaux Bridge. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 from 2:00 - 10:00 pm at Walters Funeral Home. Visitation will resume on Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 8:00 am until time of service. A rosary will be prayed on Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm.
Sign the guestbook online at waltersfh.com.
Walters Funeral Home, 2424 N. University Ave., Lafayette, La. 70507; 337.706.8941 is in charge of arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary "Grace" Irwin, please visit our flower store.