It is with great sorrow and deep love that the Oliva family announces the passing of our beloved Geraldine Touchet Oliva, a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and dear friend. Geraldine, affectionately known as “Mom Dean,” passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at Ochsner Lafayette General, surrounded by her loving family. She was 81 years old.
Geraldine was born on June 17, 1944, in Iberia Parish to the late Gustave “Gus” Touchet and Edith Romero Touchet and was one of four daughters.
She married the love of her life, Edward J. Oliva, on August 2, 1964, and together they shared 61 beautiful years of marriage. They welcomed two children, Tina and Tony, and joyfully watched their family grow through the years. Geraldine took great pride in her role as a homemaker and devoted her life to caring for her family.
Edward and her children fondly reminisced about her love of the beach, including family vacations to Galveston, the white sands of Orange Beach and Florida, and her unforgettable visit to Graceland in Memphis, the home of her favorite singer, Elvis Presley. These memories will be treasured forever. Another of Geraldine’s great joys was tending to her garden and the beautiful flowers that adorned her home.
While we mourn her passing, we take comfort in knowing she is not gone from us, but has gone before us. One day, we will be reunited with her in Heaven above. Until that precious day, may you rest in peace. We love you.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 61 years, Edward J. Oliva; her children, Tina O. Esponge (Robert) and Tony E. Oliva; her grandsons, Robert J. Esponge III (Katelyn) and Seth E. Esponge (Leah); and her four great-grandchildren, Kinlee Esponge, Clara Esponge, Caraline Esponge, and Kade Esponge. She is also survived by her sisters, Brenda Touchet and Edith “Edie” Touchet (Linda), and her nephew, Christopher Carpenter.
In addition to her parents, Geraldine was preceded in death by her sister, Darlene “Dolly” Touchet Carpenter; her in-laws, Moleus Oliva and Edith Romero Oliva; and her nephew, Melvin “Boo” Broussard, Jr.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Evangeline Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., with the Rosary recited at 5:00 p.m. Visiting hours will continue on Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until service time.
A funeral service celebrating Geraldine’s life will be held at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home, with Deacon Durk Viator officiating. She will be laid to rest privately at a later date.
Relatives and friends are invited to share condolences and memories of Geraldine by visiting her memorial at www.evangelinenewiberia.com.
Evangeline Funeral Home of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.
