Carleen Borel Trahan

St. Martinville – Services will be held at a later date for Carleen Borel Trahan, 62, who passed away peacefully on Friday, October 25, 2024, at her home. 

Carleen Borel Trahan was born in St. Martinville, Louisiana on June 30, 1962, to the late Marcel Borel Sr. and Hazel Latiolais Borel. She was a beacon of warmth and kindness, touching the lives of everyone she encountered with her generous spirit and loving nature.

A fantastic cook, Carleen was known for her culinary delights, particularly her beloved stuffed breads and gumbo that brought her family together. She not only inherited her mother’s gift for making delectable pralines, but also treasured the special pot intended for this craft, a pot that would go to one who truly understood its magic. Sadly, none of her children acquired this unique skill, leaving the family with sweet memories of her confections but no direct lineage of praline-making.

Carleen found joy in the simplest of pleasures, and her love for the outdoors was evident in her passion for cutting grass and tending to her flower gardens. Nature was a sanctuary for her, a place where she could recharge and express her creativity, whether basking under the sun or nurturing her plants. Her love for life extended to the art of crocheting and sewing, hobbies that allowed her to weave love and care into every stitch.

Her fondness for Coca Cola and her collection of memorabilia reflected a playful side to her personality, one that was always ready to embrace the fun and quirky aspects of life. Amidst these passions, Carleen lived as a people pleaser; she was a giver by nature, driven by a heartfelt desire to care for others, always putting their needs above her own.

A frequent visitor to Evangeline Downs, Carleen adored watching horse races, where the thrill of the sport matched her vibrant spirit. Those moments spent cheering for her favorites encapsulated her joyful approach to life, one that was always ready for new adventures.

However, the heartbeat of Carleen's life was her children and grandchildren. They were her pride and joy, her greatest treasures, filling her heart with love and purpose. 

Mrs. Trahan is survived by her children, Cody Champagne (Heather), Jacob Champagne (Hailey), Devin Champagne (Lindsey), and Kylie Champagne Dore (Hunter); stepsons, Chuck Trahan and Matt Trahan; godchild, John Funk, Jr. (Sylvia); siblings, Loretta Funk (John Sr.), Libbie Bourque (Donald Gene), Marcel “Jay” Borel, Jr. (Jackie), and her twin brother, Carl Borel (Claudia); grandchildren, Dawson and Cruz Champagne, Laikyn and Colston Farrier, Eliette Champagne, ReidLyn and Brixton Dore, Andy and Ian Trahan, and Kobie and Laila Funk; and her beloved grand dogs, Beau and Lola. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Mark Trahan. 

Carleen spirit will forever remain a source of light, guiding and inspiring those she has left behind. She will be deeply missed, but her memory will continue to live on in the hearts of her family and friends. May she rest in peace. 

Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560 (337-365-3331).