Geraldine "Deanie" Melancon Babin

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Geraldine "Deanie" Melancon Babin, 83, a native of Lafayette, LA, and resident of Raceland, LA. She was born on October 2, 1941, and departed this world to make her final journey into heaven on October 3, 2024, after a long-fought battle with end-stage COPD, surrounded by her family. Despite the many hardships she faced during her lifetime, Deanie always demonstrated strength, kindness, resilience, and compassion, inspiring her family to live more like she did.

Deanie treasured her family, always sharing photographs of her children, grandchildren, and friends. She never met a stranger or an acquaintance; she always turned them into friends. In her final moments, she asked us not to cry for her, instead encouraging us to be happy, as she had found peace. Though we are deeply saddened, we hope that those who loved Deanie may feel her peace wash over them.

So loved by her family and friends, Deanie and the beautiful memories she created will forever remain in our hearts. As she enters heaven, we hope she is dancing and rejoicing with her loved ones whom she is finally reunited with.

Deanie is survived by two of her children, Rebecca "Becky" Gaudet Guidry and Thomas "Tommy" Gaudet (Lilly Zamora Gaudet); three grandchildren, Jake Caillouet (Nicole Caillouet), Jenna Nicole Guidry, and Benton Gaudet; and two great-grandchildren, Ava Caillouet and Anna Caillouet.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Gary P. Babin; son, Nick "Nicky" Gaudet; parents, Pearl Kimball Melancon and Alton "Blue" Melancon; sisters, Cheryl Melancon Dominique and Evelyn Melancon Theriot (Roland J. Theriot); and son-in-law, Scott Guidry.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at St. Hilary of Poitiers Catholic Church in Raceland, LA, from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM. The service will take place that same day at 11:00 AM, with burial to follow at St. Mary's Nativity Catholic Church in Raceland, LA.