Iva Mae Belaire Theriot

Catahoula- A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at St. Rita Catholic Church honoring the life of Iva Mae Belaire Theriot, 93, who passed away on January 23, 2025 at Ochsner St. Martin Hospital.

A visitation will take place at St. Rita Catholic Church on Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

Rev. Bill Melancon will officiate at the funeral mass. 

Burial will follow at Our Lady of the Lake Cemetery.

Iva was born in the country between Breaux Bridge & Parks, LA on April 19, 1931. She was the 3rd child born to her parents, Placide & Emma Landry Belaire. She had 7 siblings, 3 brothers & 4 sisters. Placide was a farmer by trade and Iva & her siblings were raised to work in the cotton, pepper, & corn fields. During the time of the Great Depression, they were self-sustaining by living off the land and their livestock. She quit school in the 11th grade to work full time in the fields but several years later, worked to receive her GED by attending night school. This is one of the proudest moments of her life.

Iva met the love of her life, Pierre Theriot, at a dance hall in Henderson, LA and were married in Parks, LA on January 22, 1950. They were married for 73 years when Pierre passed in 2023 and they raised 4 children, 3 girls, Katie, Nan, & Sue Ellen & 1 boy, Floyd Joseph. She was extremely proud of her children and loved them unconditionally. She has endured tragedy and triumph in her 70 + years of marriage. She lost her only son, Floyd Joseph, to an illness he endured for many years but could not overcome. She has seen her children, grandchildren, & great grandchildren accomplish many great things. Her children & grandchildren have all excelled in their chosen careers, which is another source of great pride for her. Her very young great grandchildren are thriving & excelling, as well.

Iva was an accomplished seamstress, cook, and baker. She learned to sew by watching her mother, Emma. She was a 4-H judge, judging participants' garments for quality. For many, many years, Iva was a member of the Home Demonstration Club where she won several awards for her sewing, cooking and baking, and where she made lifelong friends. This club was an excellent outlet for Iva's many talents and was also a source of great joy & pleasure for her. Her ability to sew landed her a job at Martin Mills, where upon, she retired after 21 years of employment.

Iva and Pierre were avid gardeners. They maintained 2 large gardens for many years. Going back to their roots of living off the land, they sustained themselves with an endless supply of fruit and vegetables. They often shared their surplus with family, friends, & the community. 

Iva traveled to a few places after she retired. She & Pierre loved Branson, MO and traveled there many times for the entertainment. She had the opportunity to travel to Canada, Washington DC, Nova Scotia, Florida, & a few other states. 

Also in retirement, Iva helped to take care of her mother-in-law, Angela Blanchard Theriot. After Iva's father died and her mother could not stay alone any longer, Iva and 2 of her sisters took care of her mother by taking her into their homes one week at a time. Iva also had been Pierre's caregiver for many, many years following his diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. This was truly an exceptional act of love during a very difficult time in their lives. Iva sacrificed her life to take care of those family members who could not take care of themselves. She was pure unconditional love, unselfish, and exceptionally dedicated to her family.

When you reach the gates of heaven, Iva, God will take your soul into his waiting, loving arms because you have earned your place in heaven while living your life on earth. 

Oh how she will be missed!!

Iva is survived by her daughters, Katie Theriot, Nan Laviolette, & Sue E. Vincent (Ricky); her grandchildren, Lacey McCarthy (Richard), Ross Noel (Tara), Todd Noel (Gabby), Haley Vincent & Hannah Vincent; her great grandchildren, Kynnedi Noel, Reagan Noel, & Payden McCarthy; and many nieces and nephews.

Iva was preceded in death by her mother and father, Emma & Placide Belaire; her husband, Pierre Theriot; her son, Floyd Joseph Theriot; her sisters; Earline Degeyter, Oline Guidry, Elmae Picard and Sadia Guilbeau; her brothers; Clevens Belaire, Loiston Belaire and Earles Belaire; and her son-in-law, T-Chris Laviolette.

Our family wishes to thank the wonderful medical staff at St. Martin Hospital in Breaux Bridge for taking excellent care of our mom and for keeping her peaceful and comfortable during the recent raging snowstorm. We also wish to thank her caregivers, Sandra JeanBaptiste, Paula Doucet, and Andrea Huval. These women were exceptional in their love and caring for our mom. We also wish to thank family and friends for their visits, and their unwavering love and support, especially our cousin, Brenda Douet.

Pellerin Funeral Home (337-332-2111) is in charge of arrangements.