Devoted Wife, Mother and Grandmother Jeanerette " Funeral Services will be conducted for Mrs. G.A. Ga Fortier Jr. the former Kay Durke, Age 73, at 10:00AM Saturday February 27, 2010 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church with Father Jody Simoneaux officiating. Interment will follow at Beau Pre Mausoleum. Visitation will be Friday February 26, 2010 from 2:00PM until 9:00PM with a Rosary being prayed at 7:00PM. Visitation will resume Saturday from 8:00AM until service time. A native of Abbeville and longtime resident of Jeanerette Kay Fortier had a special love for family and community. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her grandchildren. Mrs. Fortier was a graduate of St. Martinville High School where that year she was the outstanding female athlete. She served as an advocate for the community of Jeanerette and was always willing to offer a helping hand to benefit a city she loved. She devoted nearly 50 years of volunteer service to the community of Jeanerette. She was named Jeanerettes Outstanding Citizen of 1974. Her volunteerism touched the lives of young and old throughout the years, leaving a positive impact on the community. She was deeply involved with youth recreation, serving as a charter member of the Jeanerette Recreation Development Association, a member of the Jeanerette City Park Board, Burleigh Park Tennis Board and JSHS Tiger Back Club. She often helped with Jeanerette Little League and tennis events. Mrs. Fortier served numerous terms and was an officer of the Jeanerette Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Jeanerette Bicentennial Museum Board. She was a longtime member of the Jeanerette Cleanest City Committee and former member of the Jeanerette Garden Club. She helped to establish the Sugar City Ceramic Club. She always took a political interest in her community and was a prime motivator in leading the efforts to establish a city court in Jeanerette. She was a charter member of the Lake Fausse Pointe Development Foundation and was currently serving on the board of directors and as treasurer. Mrs. Fortier was a dedicated volunteer of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, a former member of the St. John Parish Council and was currently a member of St. John the Evangelist Perpetual Adoration group. She is survived by her husband, G.A. Ga Fortier Jr. of Jeanerette; three sons, Gabriel Gabe Fortier III and wife Celeste of Milton, Michel Fortier and wife Suzanne of Jeanerette and Francis Fortier and wife Angela of Opelousas; grandchildren, Cody, Evan, Emily, Aimee, Molli, Gabrielle and Lindy Fortier; One brother, Marion Skip Durke of Beaumont, Texas and a sister, Irene Landry of New Iberia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Raywood L. and Elsie Zellmer Durke; three brothers, Guy A Durke, Gene Durke and Ray Durke Jr. and a sister, Dorothy Durke Wilson. Pallbearers will be Evan and Cody Fortier, Larry, Darin, Michael and Ray Durke, Craig Landry and Armand Broussard. Honorary pallbearers will be her many friends in Jeanerette. David Funeral Home, 400 Provost St. Jeanerette, La. (337)276-5151 is in charge of arrangements.
