Ms. Mary Essa Jean Gauthier

On Monday, June 17, 2019, Mary Essa Jean Aubespin Gauthier, 80, entered eternal rest peacefully while napping in her favorite chair at her residence in Opelousas. Jean was born the fourth of six children of Ernest and Augusta Aubespin of Leonville. She attended Holy Ghost Catholic School, graduated from J. S. Clark High School, and received a bachelor’s degree in Education from Southern University. A lifelong educator, she taught elementary school in St. Landry Parish for 33 years, including at J.H. Augustus Elementary School (now Southwest Elementary) and Arnaudville Elementary School, where she taught special education. An active member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Jean taught CCD classes for many years. She was a member of the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, in both Opelousas and Leonville, and a member of the Legion of Mary. She ran a prescription drug assistance program at the church, sold pies for many years at Holy Ghost’s Creole Festival, and counted offertory money at the church until she was unable. Her cherished rosary group was a big part of her weekly routine, as was her daily mass attendance when her health allowed it. She was also an active supporter of the Sisters of the Holy Family at Holy Ghost. Jean is survived by one daughter, Tara V. Gauthier of New Orleans, LA; two sons, Thane B. Gauthier (Tashula) of Evanston, IL and Kyle W. Gauthier of Opelousas; one granddaughter, Essa Jean Gauthier of Evanston, IL; three brothers, the Rev. Fr. Borgia Aubespin, of Lawtell, Nicholas (Betty) Aubespin of Humble, Texas, and Jacob (Fannie) Aubespin of Grambling, LA; one sister-in-law, Jessie Rosette of Houston, TX; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. Her grandchild and namesake, Essa Jean, will miss the weekly FaceTime video calls with her “LaLa”. Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clifford E. “Chubby” Gauthier; two sisters, Audrey Mae Defils and Elizabeth Elsie Aubespin; six brothers-in-law, Frank Defils, Otis Hicks Sr., Irvin “Pee Wee” Gauthier, Oscar Gauthier Jr., David Lee Gauthier, and Leon “Bozo” Gauthier; three sisters-in-law, Dorothy Mae Gauthier Hicks, Lou Ella Johnson Gauthier, and Laura Lee Mason Gauthier. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Opelousas, LA. Visiting hours will be observed from 9:00 AM to 12:45 PM at Williams Funeral Home. Interment will be in Bellevue Memorial Park. Share words of comfort with the Gauthier family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.net Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Williams Funeral Home of Opelousas, 337-942-2037.

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Ms. Mary Essa Jean Gauthier

January 15, 1939 - June 17, 2019