Gertrude "Gert" Provost

Mrs. Gertrude Mary “Gert” Provost passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 21, 2018 at 8:00 PM at the age of 93 years old. Her final days were spent at her son’s home in Lafayette, Louisiana surrounded by her family.

The family requests visiting hours be observed on Monday, June 25, 2018, at David’s Funeral Home on Trotter Street in New Iberia between the hours of 8:30 AM until 1:30 PM. A rosary will be prayed at 11:00 AM. Father Bill John Melancon will celebrate the Mass on Monday, June 25, 2018, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church on St. Jude Avenue in New Iberia at 2:00 PM. Following the mass, Mrs. Provost will be laid to rest at the Holy Family Mausoleum on Curtis Lane in New Iberia.

Gert was born on November 29, 1924, the third child to Alleif “Cooson” and Rita Gondron Girouard. Her father was a carpenter and musician; and her Mother, a homemaker. Her mother died at an early age of 32; Gert was only 10 years of age. She grew up in New Iberia with her father and five other siblings.

She attended and graduated with honors from New Iberia High School in 1942. After graduating, she worked in business/clerical positions. In 1955, she was hired at Cleco as a secretary and in later years worked as a supervisor of customer records. She was an efficient, loyal, and dedicated employee. In 1987, she retired from Cleco with 32 years of service.

Gert was from a musical family. Taught to play the piano at a young age, she would eventually play in her father’s band, which he named after her, “Gert and Her Orchestra.” Later in life, she played piano in a New Iberia based band, The Iberians, which covered the sounds from the Big Band Era. Playing music is where she met Gilman J. Provost, whom she married in February 1959 in New Iberia where they resided. As a couple, they celebrated 43 years together. Music and dancing were a huge part of their enjoyment. It’s been said, they danced as though they were on ice.

Besides her love for music and dancing, she enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, sewing, line dancing, watching baseball and golf, and working in her flower beds. Gert loved the Lord and was strong in her Catholic faith. She was a lifelong parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and served as a Eucharistic Minister.

Gert was a wonderful woman who had a full and fulfilling life. She lived life by the straight and narrow path, always following her conscious to do the right thing. She had the highest of moral standards. She was kind, loving, honest, fair, compassionate, patient, and very giving. She possessed all the virtues and qualities that one could only hope for. She never carried tales or spoke ill of anyone. Her family would always say “she has her way paved to heaven.”

Gert is survived by her sister, Rita LeBlanc of New Iberia ; her son, Oran (Clelie) Guidry Jr.of Lafayette; her daughter, Brenda R. Provost of Youngsville; step children, Ronald (Sharon) Provost, Mike (Virginia) Provost, and Patricia Provost, all of New Iberia; her grandchildren, Lauren, David, Andrew, William, Ronnie, Wayne, Shara, Michelle, Nicole, Michael, Stephanie, Chad, and Christine; and her great grandsons, Jett and Jack.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gilman J. Provost; parents, Alleif and Rita Girouard; sister, Ruth Gachassin; brother, Jess Girouard; brother, Lloyd Girouard; sister, Edith Randazzo; sister, Ethel Girouard; sister, Lucy Girouard; and first husband, Oran Guidry, Sr.

Upholding the honor of pallbearers will be Oran Guidry Jr., Andrew Guidry, William Guidry, Joseph LaBauve, Mike Andrus, Craig Randazzo, Ted Sandoz, Erland "Ticky" LaBauve.

The family would like to extend our special thanks to Hospice of Acadiana and Gert’s caregivers, Daughter-in-law, Clelie Guidry; Mary Sterling; and Melissa Francis, for all of their help and compassion during this journey.

You can sign our guestbook or offer condolences at davidfuneralhome.org

David Funeral Home, 1101 Trotter St., is handling the arrangements and you can reach us at 337-369-6336.