A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, 2008, at Sacred Heart of Jesus on the Teche Catholic Church in New Iberia for Jacqueline “Jackie” Hymel Gauthier, 74, who died Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, at 4:45 p.m. at her residence, surrounded by her loving and adoring family.

Entombment will follow in Holy Family Mausoleum.

Msgr. Richard Greene will be the celebrant. Readers will be Aimee Gauthier Jones and Rachael Thibodeaux. Gift Bearers include Rebecca Roseboom and Caryn Hymel.

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A native of Delcambre but a resident of New Iberia for most of her life, Mrs. Gauthier was a graduate of Mount Carmel Academy. She was passionate about dance, an art at which she was quite accomplished. A graduate of the Lester Mae School of Dance, one of her proudest moments was years later when her daughter, Linda also graduated and the two performed on stage together to commemorate the first mother-daughter duo to finish Lester Mae’s. Her love and talent for dancing were passed on also to her daughter, Gwen as well as to all three of her granddaughters. She taught in Iberia Parish’s Title I Remedial Reading program for 12 years and served at various schools throughout the parish, where she touched the lives of many children. She was a former volunteer at the Shadows on the Teche. Additionally, she was an avid camper and was one of the co-founders of the Sugar and Spice Camping Club, along with her husband. Mrs. Gauthier was a member of the Bereavement Committee of Sacred Heart of Jesus on the Teche Catholic Church and a past leader of her daughters’ Brownie and Girl Scout troops. Her extensive travels extended throughout the United States, including Hawaii; she toured Canada and Mexico as well as Europe and the British Isles.

Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Cecil M. Gauthier of New Iberia; her daughters Linda G. Thibodeaux and husband, Rick J. Thibodeaux of Broussard and Gwen G. Roseboom and husband, Kenneth W. Roseboom of Katy, Texas. She is also survived by her son Eric J. Gauthier and wife, Lisa M. Gauthier of New Iberia; brother Cecil A. Hymel Sr. and wife, Caryn G. Hymel of New Iberia, and sister, Gail H. Dack of Lafayette. Grandchildren include Matthew W. Thibodeaux and Rachael R. Thibodeaux, David E. Roseboom and Rebecca K. Roseboom, and Aimee Gauthier Jones. Other survivors include nieces Hilary G. Dack and Natalie C. Hymel and a nephew, Cecil A. Hymel Jr., in addition to a host of other relatives and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Anthony Joseph Hymel and Eunice Delcambre Hymel.

A gathering of family and friends will be Thursday 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Boulevard in New Iberia. A Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Visitation will continue Friday at 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. David Rinaldi and his office staff, particularly Janeen and to Hospice of Acadiana for care in Mrs. Gauthier’s time of need.

Pallbearers will be David Roseboom, Rick Thibodeaux, Matthew Thibodeaux, Dewey Gauthier, David Kinniff, Cliff Hernandez, Carroll Gauthier, and Dr. Larry Thibodeaux.

Honorary Pallbearers include Kenneth Roseboom, Cecil Hymel Jr., Al Hutchinson, Philip Hernan-dez and Will Jones.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sisters of Mt. Carmel, P.O. Box 1160, Lacombe, LA 70445-1160.

To view online obituary, video tribute, and sign guestbook, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com

Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, 365-3331, is in charge of the arrangements.