Kathleen Broussard

Kathleen Broussard, born Kathleen Ann Broussard and known as "Kayleen" to her friends, “Ms. Kayleen” to all of her daughter’s friends, “Grandma” to her grandchildren, and "Click” to her close family, was born June 20, 1946, in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Kayleen attended Father Teurling's Catholic High School in Lafayette, Louisiana until her junior year and graduated from St. Charles Academy in Lake Charles, Louisiana. After a cross-country adventure to Las Vegas, Malibu and Mexico, she began her career as a switchboard operator at Southern Belle company in Lake Charles and transferred to New Orleans. A chance application, while accompanying a friend who was intent on applying for a similar role led to a 40+ year career with Shell Oil Company as a geological technician, where she hand-mapped mineral deposits in intricate lith logs and trained countless new hires. Her intelligence, quick wit, happy disposition, joie de vivre and organized thinking and planning made her a favorite with colleagues. At work, she was nicknamed “the HMIC” – Head Mother In Charge. All this in addition to her waking up at 4 am to go in early to work so that she could be home for her daughters after school.

She was a phenomenal cook whose crawfish étouffée is so legendary it is now a weekly feature on a Houston restaurant menu as "Kayleen's Crawfish Etouffee." Her home was a gathering place with an open-door policy. Visitors were greeted at the front door with “Unless you’re George Strait or God, remove your boots.” She welcomed friends, family, and even strangers with warmth, generosity, and her famous desserts. After Hurricane Katrina, she opened her home to displaced friends for years, and the group lovingly nicknamed it "the Sorority House."

Kayleen had a gift for making everyone feel loved through thoughtful gifts, acts of service, generous time, and genuine attention. She was the best-dressed person in any room, had a fantastic full-body laugh, an unforgettable, distinctive whispered "achoo" sneeze, and never let a guest leave her home empty-handed. She loved 60s R&B and soul music, oldies, and classic country. She loved dancing and could deliver a punchline like a pro. Kayleen’s favorite holiday was Christmas. A lifelong die-hard fan of the LSU Tigers, New Orleans Saints, and the Houston Astros, she earnestly followed her teams with passion. In retirement, she created a fragrant entryway with sweet olive bushes outside the front door. She also built a beautiful backyard garden, which was her happy place; fed neighborhood squirrels, dogs, and cats, worked on her daily Wordle, traveled as often as she was able, and devoted herself to her grandsons—attending games and school events as the loudest cheerleader in the stands.

Family was everything to Kayleen. She kept a home filled with photographs and memories and passed down her perfected Cajun family recipes to her daughters and grandsons. She gave 100% of her attention to anyone in her presence. Her kindness extended to strangers, whether sharing lemons from her tree or offering garden cuttings. She was genuine, generous, and when she loved you, you knew it completely.

Kayleen was preceded in death by her parents, Hazel Marie Cormier and Currise Jude "Curly" Broussard; her brother, George Paul "Joey" Broussard; her husband, Donald Reese Broadway; and her brother-in-law, Ronald Baudoin, whom she loved like a brother.

She is survived by her daughters, Heidi Charton of Little Rock, Arkansas and Brooke Wilkes of Katy, Texas; three grandsons, Dylan Morton of Houston, Texas, Preston Wilkes and Jackson Wilkes of Katy, Texas; two sisters, Pearl Baudoin of Scott, Louisiana and Terri Tauzin (Matt) of Lafayette, Louisiana; two nieces, Leah (David) Guillory of Scott, Louisiana and Jeannie (Brian) Patton of Lafayette, Louisiana and a nephew, Roy Rivera of Lafayette, LA; as well as numerous cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews, and her beloved informally adopted family.

Her daughters would like to add a special note of gratitude to Kayleen’s great-niece-in-law, Deidre Fontenot, for keeping her company and loving and caring for her over the past several months when she needed help around the home.

Rest in love and peace, Kayleen, Click, Grandma, Mom, until we all meet again.

Visitation will be Friday 1/23/2025 6 pm to 8 pm at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, with a service at 10am Saturday 1/24/2025 at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Kayleen Broussard to Know Autism in Houston, Texas, at https://know-autism.org/donate/