Gretchen Ducote Maillet

Gretchen left this earth on Monday 5/26/26 peacefully due to complications from a fall a few days earlier. God mercifully called her home and she is now rejoicing with a healed body and mind with all the other angels in heaven.

Gretchen was born and raised in Mansura, Louisiana. She was the first child of Lamar and Ione Dorgant Ducote. The family was joined 4 years later by her much cherished younger sister Sandra Ducote Bordelon. Gretchen’s childhood was stereotypical small town, filled with the love of an extremely close extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins and wonderful friendships. Gretchen was active in her church, 4H, played clarinet in the band and was crowned Miss Mansura for the Avoyelles Parish Fair.

Gretchen met Stanley on a date setup by his cousin Dick Juneau and her best friend Katherine Janet at Kyrles Club in Mansura. They dated long distance while Stanley started his Air Force career and Gretchen attended college at USL and McNeese. They married in Mansura on July 29, 1961 in the same dress that Katherine wore to marry Dick a year before and began their 61 year adventure together. Military life took them to Plattsburgh NY, Mobile Al, back to Plattsburgh, Greatfalls MT, Mansura while Stanley served in Vietnam, Merced CA, and Orlando FL. Their last orders in 1973 led them to Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City LA. They bought their first and only home and their neighbors became cherished friends for life.

During those first years, Gretchen gave birth to four daughters, Michelle (1962], Nicky (1964), Denise (1965) and Renee (1966).

Gretchen stayed at home to raise her girls, participated in the Barksdale Officer Wives Club, all school and church activities for the girls, and planned wonderful family vacations. When her oldest started high school, Gretchen went back to college and in 1979 completed a degree in elementary education at LSUS. Thus began her new 20 year career as an educator with the Bossier Parish School Board at Curtis Elementary.

When Gretchen retired in 1999 the real fun began. Marriages, grandchildren, many escapades with her Bridge Club who were mostly teacher colleagues (bridge was not always played if you get the drift), international travel with friends and so many laughs over the years. Gretchen loved her girls, grandchildren, great grands, nieces and nephews with everything in her. She was instrumental in establishing life long traditions of sharing meals and other gatherings that each family member will cherish as her unique gift.

Gretchen lost Stanley in 2022. Her life changed drastically and within two years required assistive living and finally memory care.

Her daughters were with her daily and experienced the hard to watch decline of both her physical and mental condition. On 5/26/26 Gretchen’s mind and body became perfect again and the pain disappeared. She is now dancing with angels.

Gretchen was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 61 years Stanley, son-in-law Troy Menard, and brother-in-law John Bordelon.

Left to cherish her memory of 86 years are her daughters Michelle Menard, Nicole Senecal (Kenny), Denise Rains (Matthew), Renee McConnell (Chris). Gretchen had 7 grandchildren; Sean Altman (Erin), Sara Huber (Jeff), Nicolas Rains (Jana), Scott Menard, Josh Rains (Aimee), Kelsey Sprunck (Andrew), Jake McConnell, 7 great grandchildren; Chloe Altman, Kylie Rains, Nicolas Rains Jr, Thaddeus Hill, Nora Rains, Jentry Huber, Cruz Rains. Also left to cherish Gretchen’s memory is her sister and best friend Sandra Bordelon and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, Gretchen’s favorite charities were St Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Shriners Children’s.

Visitation will be held at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 7738 Barksdale Blvd., Bossier City, Louisiana 71112, on June 1, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM followed by the service at 11:00 AM.