Bonnie Jane Gaspard was born on April 7, 1944, in Cut Off, Louisiana, Lafourche Parish. Her mother was Velma LeBlanc and father was Leo J. Gaspard. She was the third child in her family after brother Melvin and sister Katherine.
Bonnie is preceded in death by her father, Leo Gaspard, her mother, Velma LeBlanc, her brother, Melvin Gaspard, and her stepfather, Brud Matherne.
Bonnie grew up in this same area and graduated from Cut Off Elementary School where her father was a teacher and Principal, then she attended Golden Meadow High School where she graduated in 1962. She then moved on in the same area working as a legal secretary. Prior to moving to New Orleans during the mid 1960’s to pursue a future in the hospitality industry.
After working her way up from being a Bunny at the Playboy Club to a managerial position at the famous Lamplighter Club at the top of the Rault Center in New Orleans. She joined the opening team as Sales Manager of a new hotel built on the corner of Dauphine and Bienville Street in the French Quarter called the Chateau LeMoyne Hotel.
It was here in 1972 that she met her future husband, Len Erickson, who was Vice President of Operations for the hotel management company called CLE Hotel Corporation, based in Houston, Texas, a subsidiary of the O’Meara-Chandler Development Corp.
After the successful opening and ongoing operation of the hotel, Bonnie moved to Houston and married Len Erickson in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 12, 1973. Living in Houston, Bonnie assisted her husband in helping to open and operate numerous hotels and restaurants throughout the country.
One of the happiest times of Bonnie’s life was during the 1980’s when one of the restaurants they owned in Houston was named after her, Bonnie’s Beef & Seafood Company, off of the Gulf Freeway near Gulfgate Mall, which became one of the most successful restaurants in Houston during the ensuing period.
Note that the above surprise photo of Bonnie was taken at the restaurant when a 17-pound Maine Lobster was about to leave the kitchen to be served to a group of diners.
After many successful years of operation, they sold the business in late 1999 and semi-retired, working on consulting, traveling and hospitality-related projects.
Bonnie is survived by her partner in life, Leonard G. Erickson, her sister Katherine, and godchild Karen Terrebonne, both of Houma, Louisiana. Many nieces and nephews, plus the Erickson family and the surrounding area of Seattle, Washington and Dallas, Texas. In addition, Bonnie had many personal friends throughout the country, including New Orleans, Las Vegas, Houston and all of her very helpful friends and neighbors in our Woodstone III community where we have lived for over 47 years.
Bonnie was a beautiful, friendly person known for her positive, cheerful attitude and was the epitome of the Southern Louisiana folklore legend, the “Cajun Queen” and will be missed by all who knew her.
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the many friends who helped Bonnie through this very difficult period in her life, and in particular the “Heart of Texas Hospice” team of dedicated employees who were at her side providing comfort and support throughout her final journey.
In honoring Bonnie’s final request, it was Bonnie who wished to be cremated rather than having a church or graveside service. We will honor her request but after a short time, due to the virus and other timely things to be completed, we will have a Celebration of Life in the near future for all of her friends who want to offer their best wishes.
In memory of Bonnie, should anyone desire to donate to charity in her name, her favorite was the love she had for animals through the SPCA or a similar charity of your choice. Thank you all!
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