Carolyn Gauthier Bargeman 74, of Cameron passed away on Thursday, Mar. 10, 2022 to be with her Lord whom she loved so much and also with her loving husband, Willie; and parents, Paul and AnnaBelle Gauthier.
She was born on Mar. 11, 1947 at St. Patrick Hospital in Lake Charles. She was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, founder of the St. Rose Altar Society, and served as President for over 40 years.
She taught Catechism and RCIA classes, member of Sacred Heart Catholic Daughters, and was the first member in Creole. Carolyn received the Papal Medal Benemerenti in the 1990s.
She was a woman of great faith and always encouraged others to join church or get married. Carolyn and her husband joined St. Henry Catholic Church in 2005 due to Hurricane Rita and joined St. Henry Altar Society in 2018.
She was a Godmother of 21 children and adults. She was proudly known as the “Avon Lady,” and started selling Avon in April of 1964. She graduated from Audrey Memorial High School in 1964 as Valedictorian of her class. Carolyn started working at South Cameron Memorial Hospital in 1971 until Hurricane Rita in 2005 where she worked her way up to Director of the Skilled Nursing Unit.
Even though she and Willie had no children, she often referred to her swing bed patients as her “Babies,” even though they were 60 years and up. She then transferred to Calcasieu Oaks, part of South Cameron Health System, and met her goal of 50 years for the South Cameron Hospital System.
After Hurricane Rita, the patients were sent to Ada, Okla. where she accompanied them for a few days after the hurricane. Even though she could not attend the funerals, she would go and stay with family members at their home so the others could go and not worry about them. In addition, she would go and set up tables, make punch, etc. for the Repass ensuring food was prepared and served to all attendees whenever family or members of St. Rose of Lima passed.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband and soulmate, Willie Bargeman; parents, Paul and AnnaBelle Gauthier; along with her brother, Carl Ben Gauthier.
Carolyn is survived by her sister, Cynthia Jackson; brother, Calvin Gauthier; aunt, Imogene Welch; three brothers-in-law; five sisters-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Henry Catholic Church in Lake Charles at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Mar. 19, with Father Wayne LeBleu officiating. Visitation will be at Hixson Funeral Home in Lake Charles on Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. until the Rosary at 10 a.m., followed by the procession to the church. Following the Mass, she will be laid to rest at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery in Creole. Repass will be held at Hixson Funeral Home in Lake Charles following the interment.
Carolyn would like to personally thank her special friend, Joann Nunez, with whom she has been friends with for over 45 years, Rita Hawkins, who she met while working at Calcasieu Oaks for all the love and support given to her from the onset of her illness, daily visits to the hospital, laundry, frequent visits upon returning home and many prepared meals. Her co-workers at South Cameron Memorial Hospital and Calcasieu Oaks and to all of her Avon Customers. Her caretakers, Barbara Griffin, Neiman McCullen, Tiki Blake, Stacy Bargeman, and Kenesha Fontenot for their love, devotion and loyal treatment equal to that of their own mothers. Vic Bargeman, her husband’s nephew, who has been by her side from the beginning of her illness and who has never left her side. He is truly the son that she never had. George Bargeman (brother-in-law) who has taken care of all of her daily needs, Leven Harmon who has been a good friend and always sent her holiday meals, Debra Richard who has been a great “Sister in Christ,” Drusilla Jones for frequent calls and visits, Mary Cockrell for her daily phone calls and Sunday visits, Donny and Cathy Nunez for their thoughtfulness and kindness, Diane Bargeman for her kindness, her deceased friends, Alma Rome Hebert for her unending love and thoughtfulness, Virginia and Raywood Racca, Gloria and Vergy Hebert, and Rita Mae Jackson for their acts of kindness.
Many thanks to the Staff of Harbor Hospice for their care and concern shown to Ms. Carolyn during her stay. Thanks to Dr. Joseph Dressler, Dr. Craig Broussard, and Dr. Benjamin Fontenot. Finally, thanks to the staff of Lake Charles Memorial Hospital and Landmark Care Center.
Pallbearers will be Michael Semien Sr., Donny Nunez, Jeffrey Harmon, Tyrell Harmon, Collin Fountain, and, Kendrick Bertrand.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.jehixson.com.
(Paid Memorial)