April 6, 1935 – October 12, 2024
With our hearts full of love, we announce the passing of Shirley Marie Mathews Brouillette peacefully into heaven on October 12, 2024, at her home. Shirley, daughter of Lawrence and Rosa Mathews, was born April 6, 1935. She was the youngest of 12 children and married her life-long love, Joseph N Brouillette, on October 1, 1953, sharing 71 faith- and love-filled years together. Shirley’s greatest love was for her family and sharing her devout faith in God. Her world centered around her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She provided for her family with her work as an x-ray technician. Known for her selfless nature and wonderful cooking, ensuring that no one ever went hungry in her warm home, Shirley always welcomed visitors with open arms. Faith and Family were first in Shirley’s life. Her greatest joy was sharing a pot of coffee in our house on England Drive, sharing laughter and memories with her brothers and sisters.
Shirley is survived by her husband Joseph Brouillette; six children, Debi Carbo (Bert), Connie Kosik (Ken), Joey Brouillette (Julie), Pam Sanchez, Diane Gueringer (Wesley) and Jerry Brouillette (Lisa), 16 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, John (Sylvia), Charles (Dorothy), O’Hearn (Helen), Thomas (Alice), Huey (Ethel) and Alfred (Betty); sisters, Inez Jeansonne (Lee), Oralee Vanhoof (Jude), Myrthlee Vanhoof (Fabian), Mary Mathews and Delores Perkins (Melvin), and son-in-law Kevin Sanchez.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at her church of 75 years, St. Rita Catholic Church, at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday October 15, 2024, with Rev. Anthony Dharmaraj and Deacon Kenny Sayes officiating. Interment will follow in Alexandria Memorial Gardens under the direction of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home.
Visitation will be held on Monday, October 14, 2024, at the funeral home, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a recitation of the Holy Rosary in the Kramer Chapel at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will resume on Tuesday at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.
Pallbearers honored to serve will be her grandsons, Ryan Kosik, Bruce Sanchez, Nathan Carbo, Stephen Brouillette and Landry Carbo; grandsons-in-law, Lee Broom and Ethan Corder, and great-grandson Jacob Rusk.
The family would like to express our utmost appreciation to All Saints Hospice, specifically Christin and Andrus. In addition, we would like to thank caregivers Ann, Kim, Judy and Dee. These individuals gave such loving care and tenderness and were the face of Christ to Shirley and Joseph during this time.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or St. Mary’s Residential Training School at P.O. Drawer 7768, Alexandria, LA 71306.
In appreciation, we would like to thank you for attending the services. Your presence and other acts of kindness are deeply appreciated.