Nona Rita VanCleve

New Iberia - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 PM Saturday, May 4, 2013 at Nativity of Our Lady Catholic Church in New Iberia for Nona Rita Blanchet VanCleve, 81, who died Friday, May 3, 2013, in New Iberia. Entombment will follow in the Holy Family Cemetery. Rev. Edward Duhon will be the Celebrant. A gathering of family and friends will be Saturday from 12 Noon until 2:00 PM at the CHURCH. A rosary will be prayed at 1:00 PM Saturday. ; ; Born on August 30, 1931, Nona was a member of Nativity of Our Lady Catholic Church in New Iberia. She was very active with the parish in the beginning of the establishment of the parish, helping Msgr. Herman Barsen in many endeavors. Nona and her husband were owners of the Iberia Mall Fabric Store for ten years in New Iberia. She also worked in the Federal Program for the Iberia Parish School Board. She is a member of the Ladies Altar Society, Our Lady of Sorrows, Eucharist Minister at the church, and a past member of the Marthas, bringing Communion to Iberia General Hospital for a number of years. She was a member of the Les Ami Duplicate Bridge Club of New Iberia, and also helped at the Disch and DeClouet Social Service Center as a Counselor. Nona recently made her First Promise to join the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites and the Community of Mary Beloved of the Trinity. Nona was very active in her church throughout the years, although after becoming ill, her time volunteering was limited. She loved to play Duplicate Bridge, and to cook for her family, but her love for her family was so much more. Her new great granddaughter, Zoe, brought much joy to her heart after the loss of her husband. She is survived by her children, Deacon Stephen G. VanCleve and wife Constance Bellon VanCleve of New Iberia, Joy VanCleve Dobler and husband Conrad D. Dobler of Overland Park, Kansas; grandchildren, Jacob Cart VanCleve and wife Kally Viator VanCleve of Broussard, Francis Alexander Olivier of Overland Park, Kansas, Stephen Daniel Dobler of Overland Park, Kansas, Holli Dai Dobler of Chicago, Illinois; and a great granddaughter, Zoe Leigh VanCleve of Broussard. She was preceded in death by her husband, Horace Glenn VanCleve; and her parents, Wilbur Olivier Blanchet and Rita Mae Babineaux Blanchet. The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. John Rainey, Dr. David Rinaldi, Dr. Janice Nugent, Dr. Burt Bujard, and Dr. Robert Elliot. Memorial contributions may be made to Nativity of Our Lady Catholic Church, 130 North Richelieu Circle, New Iberia, LA 70560, or to the charity of your choice. In memory of Nonas battle with cancer, please wear something pink. Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560, 337.365.3331, is in charge of arrangements.