It is with heavy hearts and deep love that we announce the passing of our beloved mother and the cherished matriarch of our family, Anna Maturin Hanson. Anna passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Saturday, July 19, 2025, just five days shy of her 73rd birthday.
Anna was born on July 24, 1952, in Lafayette, to Louella Desormeaux Maturin and Lastie Joseph Maturin. She was raised on the Dewey Plantation, with a large faith-based family and a rich Cajun heritage that remained an integral part of her identity and way of life. After marriage, she moved to the city of New Iberia, which she considered “home”.
Over the course of her life, Anna worked many jobs in various industries and professions. She was truly a master-of-all-trades. It did not matter the role or position she was hired for on Day 1 - by Day 2, she was the boss. As the Matriarch, she wore the dress, the skirt and the pants in the family with no hesitation.
Socializing was not just a pasttime for Anna; it was instilled in her being. She was always the life of the party and center of attention, just the way she liked it. Whether it was sharing a cup of coffee and a cigarette, or a beer and a game of Bourré, her home was where family and friends overlapped, sitting at the kitchen table.
She was also an exceptional cook, with everyone having different favorite dishes prepared by Anna, including her seafood gumbo and frontyard barbecues on the patio. Her favorite food was boiled blue point crabs.
Not only was Anna known for stirring the pot in the kitchen, but she was known for “stirring the pot” around town. If you were to ask her though, she would swear “I never gossipped a day in my life!”
Another specialty of hers was storytelling; she was a Master Storyteller, a trait adored by many who knew her. Her tales—embellished for laughter and effect—were legendary, full of humor, heart and Cajun spirit. Some may say she never let the facts get in the way of a good story.
Other things Anna enjoyed spending her time doing, consisted of crocheting, listening and dancing to Zydeco music, Geneology research and traveling. Not only did she travel to wonderful places like Paris and Amsterdam with friends, but she frequently traveled to Florida and Minnesota to visit family. She even traced her Acadian ancestry all the way back to Nova Scotia, where she took a trip for a family reunion. Lovingly referred to as “Ma” by her grandchildren, some of the fondest vacations were their annual summer trips that were special for only her and her grandkids. No one else was allowed.
To summarize Anna’s life in a few short paragraphs is nearly impossible. She lived every moment to the fullest, with charisma, laughter, love and faith. Her spirit, kindness and sense of humor left an imprint on everyone she met. Her legacy and stories will be carried forward, and her memory will remain forever etched in our hearts. She would not want us to mourn her loss, as much as she would rather us celebrate our time together.
Those left to cherish her memory are her eight children, Cheree Darby Sarver, William "Billy" Darby (Sissy), Scotty Darby, Jeremy Landry, Laura David, Rusty Landry, Juston Phillip Maturin (Jamie), and Zachary Maturin (Marilyn); her 16 grandchildren whom she adored, Angel Anna Blanchard, Christopher Cody Blanchard II, Taylor Darby, Richard Darby, Samuel Darby, Annie Bayard, Heather Charpentier, Alexis Louviere, Christopher Louviere Jr, Gianna Troiano, Tanna Landry, Draegon Landry, LouElla Maturin, Zachary Maturin Jr, Levi Maturin and Dennim Maturin; her five great grandchildren; and her siblings, Jimmy Maturin (Kem), Gerald Maturin (Julia), Geraldine Broussard (Paul), Hilton Maturin and Anthony Ray Maturin.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Louella Desormeaux Maturin and Lastie Joseph Maturin; and her brothers, Chester Maturin and Lester Joseph Maturin.
A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Anna's life will be held on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 2:30 PM at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Coteau, with Fr. Ed Degeyter as the celebrant. Anna will be laid to rest in the church cemetery following the Mass.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Tuesday at Evangeline Funeral Home from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm dismissal, with the Rosary being recited at 11:30 am.
Honored to serve as pallbearers are Scotty Darby, Jeremy Landry, Rusty Landry, Juston Phillip Maturin, Zachary Maturin and Richard Darby. Honorary pallbearers are Christopher Cody Blanchard II, Samuel Darby, Zachary Maturin Jr, Levi Maturin, Dennim Maturin and Koty Barfield.
The family kindly asks that in lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution in Anna's name to Consolata Rehab and Wellness Center on the Teche, C/O Activity Department, 2319 E Main St. New Iberia, LA 70560.
Relatives and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences by visiting Anna’s memorial page at www.evangelinenewiberia.com.
Evangeline Funeral Home of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.
