Rita D. McDonald

New Iberia – A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 pm, on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, for Rita D. McDonald, 93, who passed away peacefully in her home, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, surrounded by her family.

Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Rev. Mark Derise will be the Celebrant.

Visitation will be Sunday, from 2:00 pm until 9:00 pm at Pellerin Funeral Home, and will continue Monday, from 8:00 am until 12:15 pm. A rosary will be prayed at 6:00 pm on Sunday.

A lifelong resident of Jefferson Island, Rita was born on April 29, 1930, in Vermilion Parish to the late Eugene Duhon, Sr. and Martine Desormeaux Duhon. Her family was her greatest treasure in life. Rita was married to the love of her life, J.B. McDonald, for 63 years, and together they raised five children. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and nanny. She loved cooking for all of them and looked forward to her grandchildren stopping by to visit after school.

Rita retired from the United States Post Office and was a member of the Wisteria Chapter of the Eastern Star, in New Iberia, and the Lizzy Chapter No. 11, of Abbeville. She was also a member of the Bayou Belles of Jefferson Island, where she volunteered many hours to help support the Shriner’s in their endeavors to care for children with burns or disabilities.

She will be missed by her family and friends.

Survivors include her children, Marie Menard (Terry), Janet Mire (Elroy), Mark McDonald (Shelia), and Jude McDonald (Melissa); eleven grandchildren, Ryan Menard (Tiffany), Jason Menard (Kristen), Stacey Horton (Kevin), Mindy McDonald, Kristy McDonald Touchard (Bryan), Kacie Crappell (Caymen), Shelby McDonald, Jacob Boudreaux, Seth Boudreaux, Callie Arceneaux (A.J.), and Tyler Mire (Kaylee); 13 great grandchildren, Madison Menard, Meg Menard, Abbey Menard, Cooper Menard, Lauryn Menard Georgia (Devan), Taylor Horton, Parker Cormier, Ella Grace Arceneaux, Emerson Arceneaux, Evelyn Arceneaux, Claire Mire, Calvin Mire, and Ari Mire; numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren; and a sister-in-law, Dorothy “Dot” McDonald.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, J.B. McDonald; daughter, Maxine M. Boudreaux; son-in-law, Tony Boudreaux; brothers, Cleveland Duhon, Melvin Duhon, and Eugene Duhon, Jr.; sisters, Ruby McDonald, Audry Groff, Margie Derise, and Hilda Stelly.

Pallbearers will be Ryan Menard, Jason Menard, Jacob Boudreaux, Seth Boudreaux, Tyler Mire, and Parker Cormier.

Honorary pallbearers include Michael McDonald, Kermit McDonald, Jr., Mark McDonald, Jude McDonald, Elray Mire, and Terry Menard.

The family would like to give special thanks to her best friend and amazing caregiver, Marla Latulas.

May her memory be a blessing.