A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, April 2, at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Crowley for Duiby Breaux Martin of Crowley, who died peacefully in her sleep at her home in the early hours of Holy Saturday, March 26, 2016.
Fr. Matthew Higginbotham, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, will officiate for the services. The family requests visiting hours Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. A rosary will be recited Friday at 6:30 p.m. by the Immaculate Heart of Mary Ladies Altar Society.
Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Duiby, affectionately known as “Dob” to some and “grandma” to many was born April 14, 1924, in Maurice, the youngest of nine children, to Theophile and Celise Vincent Breaux. Duiby graduated valedictorian of Maurice High School class of 1941 and married Benoit Wilson Martin in November of that year.
She and Benoit survived the difficulties and separation of World War II, raised seven successful children, worked as partners in their dairy business and enjoyed 58 years of marriage. Duiby was widowed in 2001.
She subsequently opened her home to her sister and brother-in-law, Nella and Eraste Duhon. They shared their lives together until his passing in 2012. Nella and Duiby have continued living together. Nella, aged 100, will miss her greatly.
Duiby was a lifelong member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. She was devoted to leading the rosary and attending Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament until she became homebound. She was a talented seamstress and wonderful Cajun cook. We will miss her gumbo and cinnamon cake. An avid gardener, she loved the outdoors. Her vegetable garden, fruit trees and particularly her magnificent fig trees were her joy. Many friends and neighbors have enjoyed those figs every June.
Duiby was preceeded in death by her husband, Benoit; her parents, Theophile and Celise; and her brothers and sisters, Odan Breaux, Ethel Landry, Anna Duhon, Theola Vincent, Osta Breaux, Stallance Breaux and Uta Maynard.
She is survived by her sister, Nella; and her seven children and their spouses, Lindell and Ernest Perez of Houston, Texas, Wavey and Sue Bearb Martin of Conroe, Texas, Brenda and Terry Robert of Gonzales, Mona Binion of Centennial, Colorado, Katry and Lisa Leger Martin, Marion and Jackie LeDoux Martin and Phil and Sarah Hoffpauir Martin, all of Crowley; 22 grandchildren; and 37 great grandchildren.
A special thanks is extended to St. Joseph’s Hospice of Lafayette; nurse, Kathleen Guidry; and a wonderful group of caregivers who have given Duiby great comfort in her final years, including Inez “Toot” Vincent, Emma Castile, Tonya Sherrick, Paula Caplinger, Margie Castillo, Jessica Myers and Rita Monceaux.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in her memory.
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.geesey-ferguson.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home, 301 N. Avenue F, Crowley, LA 70526, 337-783-3313.