Geraldine “Gerry” Broussard, 77, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at her residence. Gerry was born on Dec. 23, 1945, to Paul and Katie (Garoby) Doucett in Paris, Texas. Gerry loved to travel, was an accountant and affiliated with NAEA and NATP.
Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 58 years, Leland Broussard; daughters, Jeannie Commer (Greg) and Bonnie Gregg Sallier (Brian); four grandchildren, Christopher Gregg (Kaylee), Megan Funderburk, Annie Commer, and Gracie Commer; and two great-grandchildren, Olivia Gregg and Cooper Gregg.
Gerry grew up in and around SW Louisiana – growing up in Moss Bluff, along the river and at Dunn Ferry, along the river. She graduated from Westlake High School, then married her true love: Leland Broussard, whom she met on the river. Next month would be their 59th Wedding Anniversary. Soon after their wedding at the Lake Charles Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, they started their first big adventure together – their first trip together. Their patriotic sense of duty brought them to Norfolk, Virginia as part of the U.S. Navy family.
After completing their service with the US Navy, Gerry and Leland returned to SW La where they settled in Moss Bluff. Gerry raised their kids, Jeannie and Bonnie, volunteered with Camp Fire Girls, volunteered with the Adult Literacy program helping adults learn how to read. Gerry was curious about everything and always wanted to know more about those things that interested her. She taught herself how to program some of the earliest of home computers using only a tape-recorder to record her keystrokes. She loved learning and teaching.
Not only was Gerry curious about how the things of the world around her worked, but she was also curious about the world itself and she wanted to explore it. Gerry spent many years exploring the world – Nova Scotia, Quebec, and British Columbia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Scotland, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, British Colombia, Mexico, Bahamas, US Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos, Dominican Republic, Cayman Islands, most all the US states, and almost all the Louisiana Parishes. Gerry loved a good adventure! She zip-lined across the old Las Vegas strip, hiked into the caves under the Niagara Falls, kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland, chased the Northern Lights in Alaska and Illinois, white water rafted in Alaska, swam with stingrays in the Caymans, hot-air ballooned in Lake Tahoe.
Most of her travel partners where her dear sisters: Marti Pierce, Jane (JD) Parker, and Punkin Hooper. Most of her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends loved her tales of adventures and a few were lucky to share these trips with her. It was not uncommon for Gerry to be planning her next trip while being on a trip! Gerry loved being from Louisiana and being Acadian. She loved the history and perseverance of the Cajuns. She was known for her ‘Gerry’s Tour’ of Louisiana where she would share her family’s vast history and her love of Louisiana.
Gerry started a business in SW LA and grew it like the relationships with her loved ones, and the gardens at her home. Whether she was dealing with a client, a friend, a family member, or a plant/seed, Gerry always started with a strong foundation, selected quality, and tended them to their full potential growth and harvest. She was also very skilled in pruning. She strived to only provide the best advice and guidance to her clients. Sometimes her loved ones felt the pruning, and sometimes it wasn’t until much later that her loved ones realized how much devotion/pruning Gerry had provided them. She was always full of joy and kindness.
Gerry is now on the greatest adventure of her eternal life! She has been looking forward to this next adventure and preparing for it her entire life. We wish her bon voyage as we pray for the repose of her soul.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Home of Moss Bluff with Father Aubrey Gilbeau officiating. Burial will follow in Old Ritchie Cemetery. The visitation will be at the funeral home on Saturday from 11 a.m. until service time.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The American Cancer Society.
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.