Grace Reynaud Garon

Mother and mentor, a tireless advocate for the elderly, a woman with a green thumb and a love of African violets and stray cats, Grace Reynaud Garon is now at rest. She passed away on January 26, at the age of 87.

She was a devoted mother and a loyal friend, an independent woman who managed the trials of her life with grace and little complaint. Even when rheumatoid arthritis made it difficult to move, she still made it to the hairdresser twice a week. Once, when a hurricane was only hours from her home, she drove to the hairdresser so as not to miss her appointment. Grace was fierce, a hurricane herself, as anyone who really knew her could attest.

She had a passion for fashion and fondness for QVC, the home shopping network. Her love language was cooking, and she was fluent in it—just ask anyone who ate her pot roast. She loved bridge, the symphony, Pavarotti, the Tigers and Saints, her considerable list of friends, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and most of all, her cat Dickens.

Her life was one of service, and that included motherhood and a 28-year career at the Ascension Council on Aging. She began her career there as a bookkeeper, and worked her way to the role of executive director. It was a job meant for her, and the parish of Ascension and its elderly benefited from her fight and advocacy. As executive director, she was instrumental in passing a millage to help support the Ascension Council on Aging, and provide meals and services to the elderly in Ascension Parish.

Over the years, she brought her faith, fight and passion to numerous organizations, serving on the Ascension of the Lord Catholic Church finance committee, and as a member of the Donaldsonville Music Club and the Donaldsonville Garden Club. She served as the president of the Donaldsonville Rotary Club, and was a member of the Louisiana Aging Network, Louisiana Association of Councils on Aging and National Council on Aging.

She was a member of the Governor’s Task Force on Aging, and a board member of the Louisiana Executive Board on Aging, and Volunteer Ascension. She also served on the Capital Area Agency on Aging Advisory Board and Ascension Council on Aging Board. Upon retirement, she was honored by the state Legislature with a Resolution for her advocacy work.

She leaves this earth with a legacy of love. She is survived by her five children Kim Bagala (Steve), Lisa Froman (Steve Burmester), Kevin Garon (Lisa), Leslie Garon and Keith Garon (Erin); by her grandchildren Geoffrey Bagala (Leanne), Christine Bagala (Jimmie Raleigh), Alexander Froman, Jordan Garon, Jacob Garon, Joshua Garon, Johnnie Grace Garon, Evan Koch (Margaret Chauvin), Laura Fernandez (Lazaro), Renee Ryland, Austin Garon; and by three great-grandchildren Ellie Bagala, Lila Garon and Isaac Adair Raleigh.

She was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Grace Reynaud and her siblings Albert and Hunter Reynaud. The family would like to extend a special thanks to her friend, Ann Dill, who was like a sister, and by her side regularly during the last months of her life.

Grace was a native and life-long resident of Donaldsonville, Louisiana.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her memorial at the Ascension Catholic Church in Donaldsonville, Friday, Feb. 2. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 -11 a.m., followed by a mass from 11 a.m. – noon, and burial. A reception will follow.

Join us as we celebrate Amazing Grace and her life and legacy.