Frances Lee Bergeron

Frances G. Bergeron died on Friday, Feb. 1, 2008, at age 73. She died peacefully at home from the effects of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. She was born Nov. 4, 1934, in Zwolle, Sabine Parish. She graduated as the class valedictorian in 1953 from Zwolle High School, where she enjoyed several activities, including cheerleading and acting in school plays. She graduated in 1956 from Northwestern State College, now Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, where she received her bachelor's degree in education in three years. She was a beloved fifth-grade school teacher for six years at Rosteet Elementary School, Lake Charles. A resident of Baton Rouge for nearly 35 years, Frances was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. Since 1973, she was an active member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, where she served as a lector. She was active in her children's schools and activities, having served as a room mother at St. Thomas More Elementary and Catholic High School Mothers' Club. She was a member of the Northwestern State University Alumni Club and Notre Dame Club of South Louisiana. She was an avid fan of the University of Notre Dame and made annual pilgrimages to South Bend to cheer for her beloved Fighting Irish. She enjoyed her 50-year anniversary commemoration of her college graduation in 2006 at the Spring graduation ceremony at Northwestern State University. She was an avid reader of politics and history and loved traveling to religious and historical sites, especially those commemorating the war between the states. She enjoyed cooking and was very talented. She loved to play tennis and participated in many Baton Rouge Women's Tennis Association tournaments. She also enjoyed following professional tennis. Survived by her husband of more than 45 years, Frank L. Bergeron; son and daughter-in-law, Paul S. and Ann R. Bergeron, of Baton Rouge; son, Dr. Michael A. Bergeron, of Lake Charles; daughter, Charlotte Y. Bergeron, of Baton Rouge; two sisters and their husbands, Jane and Willie Britt, of Alexandria, and Wilma and Robert Valentine, of Louisville, Ky.; three brothers, David and wife Gwen Garcie, and Kenneth Garcie, all of Zwolle, and Stephen Garcie, of Hidden Valley Lake, Calif.; and a host of nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Ruth Garcie; sister, Bertie Culverhouse; and brother, Kent Garcie, retired USAF master sergeant. Special thanks to the Rev. Joseph Arogysami, I.M.S., Dr. Greg Ferrara and Marilyn Saytue of Home Instead Senior Care. Many thanks to all of her family and friends who helped and prayed for Frances during her lengthy illness. Pallbearers will be Kenneth Garcie, Stephen Garcie, Charles Airhart, Josh Garcie, Charles "Chuck" Rand Jr. and Daniel Balhoff. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Wednesday, Feb. 6, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with recitation of the rosary at 7:30 p.m. Visitation at St. Thomas More Catholic Church on Thursday from noon until Mass of Christian Burial at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Joseph Arogysami, I.M.S., celebrant, assisted by Lloyd Plaisance, Eucharistic minister. Crypt site committal at St. George Catholic Church Cemetery Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601; the National Parkinson Foundation Inc., 1501 NW 9th Ave./Bob Hope Road, Miami, FL 33136-1494; or Catholic High School Development Office, P.O. Box 65004, Baton Rouge, LA 70896.