Lois Theriot Laville

BREAUX BRIDGE - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Friday, May 10, 2024, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Breaux Bridge, for Lois Jean Theriot Laville, 98, who passed away peacefully on Friday, May 3, 2024, at her home.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 4:30 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday and continue Friday at 8:00 AM until 9:30 AM, at Pellerin Funeral Home in Breaux Bridge.

A rosary will be prayed at 6:00 PM on Thursday.   Immediately following the rosary, the LA Nurses Honor Guard will perform the Nightingale Tribute.

Fr. Garrett McIntyre will officiate at the Funeral Mass along with co-celebrant Fr. Donald Pelous. Scriptures will be read by granddaughters Ashley Laville LeBlanc and Victoria Laville Venable. Gift Bearers will be her beloved granddaughters. Interment will follow at St. Bernard Cemetery No. 1 in Breaux Bridge.

Mrs. Laville was a 1942 graduate of Breaux Bridge High School. Afterwards, she graduated from Charity Hospital School of Nursing in New Orleans in 1946. She worked at “Big Charity” for several years, primarily in pediatrics. Realizing the increase in opportunities to those with college degrees, Lois returned to Lafayette to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree from Southwestern Louisiana Institute of Liberal and Technical Learning (SLI), now University of Louisiana at Lafayette, in 1953.  While working on her B.S. degree at SLI, she served as a part-time staff nurse in the campus infirmary. After getting her B.S. degree, Lois stayed in Lafayette for a year to start SLI’s nursing program, becoming an instructor at the College of Nursing. In fact, during her time as a nursing instructor at SLI, a pamphlet was created depicting her picture on the cover in her starched white nursing uniform to promote the program.  Lois fondly recalled riding around locally to recruit student nurses. As an instructor, she was transferred to Touro Infirmary in New Orleans where she participated in their educational program in addition to the patient-centered program for SLI nursing students.  While in New Orleans, she decided to once again further her education in nursing.  In 1955, Lois graduated from Charity Hospital’s Nurse Anesthesia program.  The director of the program was Dr. John Adriani, known as the “Father of Anesthesia”.  She always felt honored to have been trained under his tutelage, as well as to have known him as a friend. 

Lois became one of the first certified nurse anesthetists to serve the Acadiana region. She worked for 25 years, all while raising three children with her late husband of 54 years, Robert Randolph Laville, Sr. Needless to say, she loved her nursing profession.  Her husband Bob would often call her “Florence Nightingale” since she would often medically tend to family and friends.  Many young women would seek career advice from her; she was always proud when they entered nursing school. 

Outside of her admirable work as nurse anesthetist, mother, and wife, Lois was a wonderful Cajun chef, perfecting her gluten-free recipes in the 1980s after an early diagnosis of Celiac’s disease. Before the now-popularized diagnosis, Lois would find unique ways to take the food she grew up with to adjust to her new “GF” health needs, an art form that she passed down to her later generations. 

Lois and Bob were active participants for many years promoting the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival. For years they talked fondly about putting on the crawfish race at Washington D. C’s Mardi Gras Ball.   It is fitting that her time on Earth ended during this year’s festival weekend.

A devout Catholic and longtime parishioner of St. Bernard Catholic Church, Lois loved her home parish dearly. Lois and Bob were two of the founding members of the St. Bernard Chapel of Perpetual Adoration established in 1984. She was also a member of St. Bernard’s Altar Society and the American Legion Auxiliary. 

Lois was a wonderful friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing her, serving as a mentor and mother-figure to many in her community. She was kind, insightful, and beautiful, with her cerulean-blue eyes captivating all who were able to cross her path. Lois was also known to be comical and fun, all while having a kind and generous heart. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed spending time with her family, most especially her granddaughters, who were her pride and joy. 

She is survived by her two daughters, Dr. Mary Laville and her husband, Dr. Matt Mitchell, of Lafayette, and Marie "LeeLee" Laville of Breaux Bridge; her son, Dr. Robert Laville, Jr. of Lafayette; five grandchildren, Ashley Laville LeBlanc, Victoria Laville Venable, Kathryn Mitchell, Elizabeth Mitchell, and Caroline Mitchell; two great grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Ann Scharfenberg of New Orleans and Ann Laville of Baton Rouge.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 54 years, Robert Randolph Laville, Sr.; her father, Valsin J. Theriot;  her mother, Celine Hanes Theriot; her brother, Vance J. Theriot; her father-in-law, Louis Parkerson Laville, Sr.; her mother-in-law mother, Germaine Wilbert Laville; her daughter-in-law, Kimberly Parker Laville; four sisters-in-law, Gloria Royer Theriot, Corporal Germaine Laville, Carolyn Joffrion, and Betty Bagot; and two brothers-in-law, Dr. Louis Parkerson Laville, Jr. and Dr. James Arthur Laville. While grappling with the loss of their beloved matriarch, her family finds peace in knowing that she is reunited with her husband, family, and so many friends in Heaven. 

Pallbearers will be Dr. Robert Laville, Jr., Dr. Matt Mitchell, Mike Bagot, Jr., John Laville, Hubert Hebert, and Joe Williams.

Honorary pallbearer will be Don LeVasseur.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to all of Lois’ caretakers over the last few years. Special thanks to all the Doctors, Nurses, and staff of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and Hospice of Acadiana for the compassionate care given to her during her time of need.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Carmelite Monastery or St. Bernard Church. 

Pellerin Funeral Home, 211 Berard St., Breaux Bridge, LA 70517, (337.332.2199), is in charge of arrangements.