Dorothy "Dot" Guiberteau Bodin

Gulf Breeze, FL- Dorothy “Dot” Guiberteau Bodin, a beloved and caring wife, mother, grandmother, great-grand mother, friend and first grade teacher passed away on Monday, September 12, in Gulf Breeze, Florida at the age of 87.

Dot began her life in Jeanerette on September 4, 1929, born to Nora and Felix Guiberteau.  She grew up in Jeanerette with her two brothers, Bert and Frank.  She graduated from Jeanerette Senior High School and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Southwestern Louisiana Institute, currently known as the University of Louisiana Lafayette.  “Miss Dot”, as her students fondly called her, taught first grade (and second grade) at Dora Robin Elementary and Jeanerette Elementary School for 32 years.  She had a gift for teaching and impacted the lives of hundreds of children by opening the door to learning through reading and writing.  She loved her students and they loved her, too.  Dot often said, “ The best thing about my job was teaching children how to read and write.  Most of the children I taught didn’t know the alphabet on the first day of school.  It was rewarding to see them grow and learn and be able to read and write by the second half of the school year.”

She was a past member of Entre Nous, Iberia Parish Teacher’s Association, and Louisiana State Teacher’s Association.

In 1952, Dot married her belated husband Darnell in 1952 and they were happily married for 63 years. She is survived by her daughter, Rebecca “Becky” LaRose (Paul) of Gulf Breeze, Florida; son, Donald “Donnie” Bodin (Marjorie) of St. Augustine, Florida; daughter, Pauline “Polly” Bodin of Jacksonville, Florida; grandsons, Matthew LaRose and Blake Bodin; and granddaughters, Lauren LaRose Farrell (Paul), Aimee LaRose, Kristin Bodin, and Alyssa Bodin; and one great grandson, Paul Farrell, IV; and her two brothers, Frank Guiberteau and wife Lyndell of Jeanerette, and Bert Guiberteau and wife Ina of New Iberia.

Dot was preceded in death by her parents, Felix and Nora Guiberteau; her husband, Darnell Bodin; and her grandson, Neil LaRose.

Everyone always knew they would have plenty of delicious food to eat when visiting the Bodin’s because Dot loved to cook.  Her grandchildren were her heart and joy.  Time spent at Mame Dot and Papa’s house was always a special treat for the grandkids with beautiful handmade clothes and special sweet treats.  Sewing, quilting, smocking, knitting and crocheting were her favorite pastimes.

“Miss Dot” instilled the love of learning into so many young lives in Jeanerette.  May her story continue to live on through all those she has taught over the years, her children, grandchildren, students and friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 11:00AM at David Funeral Home of Jeanerette, with Father Jody Simoneaux officiating.  Burial will follow in Beau Pre Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Saturday, September 17, 2016, from 9:00AM until 10:50AM, just before the funeral service.

Family and friends can express condolences by signing the online guestbook.

David Funeral Home of Jeanerette, 400 Provost Street, (337)276-5151 is in charge of the funeral arrangements.