Ethel Romero DeRouen

NEW IBERIA – Funeral Services will be conducted for Mrs. Roy J. DeRouen, the former Ethel Romero, age 89, at 10:00 am Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at Evangeline Funeral Home with Fr. Mark Derise, Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church will officiate the services. Interment will follow at Holy Family Mausoleum.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Tuesday with a Rosary at 6:30 pm. The funeral home will reopen at 8:00 am on Wednesday until service time.

A native and resident of New Iberia, Mrs. DeRouen passed away at 7:25 am on Saturday, July 28, 2012 at the home of her daughter, surrounded by her loved ones.

Ethel was born on April 20, 1923, on Avery Island where she lived until age three, then moved to New Iberia. She graduated from New Iberia Senior High, class of 1942, where she participated as a drum majorette. As a member of “The Greatest Generation”, Ethel served her country working as a welder/fitter at the shipyard in Des Allemands, Louisiana, when male workers left home to serve in the military during World War II. Following the end of WWII, Ethel married Roy J. DeRouen and the couple was married for fifty-seven years.

Ethel worked at Taylor’s Drug Store until she and Roy began their family. While her children were in school, she was active in the Parent/ Teacher Association (PTA) at Hilda Roberts School (now Center Street Elementary), having served more than once as President. She was active in the Lion’s Club Auxiliary, holding many offices including president. Ethel worked as a teller at New Iberia National Bank (now Region’s Bank) for twenty-nine years and was highly respected by her customers. Her hobbies included sewing and crocheting, skills passed down from generations before her which she shared with her daughters. She truly enjoyed the company of her family, many friends, and faithful devotion to her faith in Jesus Christ.

Survivors include her daughters, Nanette D. Kibbe and Perri Lynne D. Sinitiere (Phil); eight grandchildren, Kim B. Martin, Roy Broussard, Roni B. Delahoussaye, Jamithon Broussard, MaryFrances Kibbe, Anne Kibbe, Jeremy Sinitiere, and Jessica Sinitiere; eleven great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Placide and Louise Savoy Romero; her husband, Roy J. DeRouen, and her daughter, Cheryl D. Broussard.

Pallbearers will by Zachary Belaire, Tim Vice, Ethan Kibbe, Phil Siniteiere, Jeremy Sinitiere and Roy Broussard.

Special thanks are given to Iberia Medical Center 3rd Floor Staff, Dr. Martha Coppage, Dr. Clyde Roy, Dr. Kurt O’Brien, Dr. Ellen Mullen and the staff of Heart of Hospice and a very special friend and sitter, Jill Sexton.

Memorial Donations may be made in her name to Heart of Hospice, 201 West Vermilion, Suite 100, Lafayette, LA 70501; Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 1303 St. Jude Avenue, New Iberia, LA 70560 and/or Highland Baptist Christian School, 708 Angers Street, New Iberia, LA 70563

To view on-line obituary, video tribute and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.

Evangeline Funeral Homes, Inc. of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.