Dolores Gomez

Dolores Gomez passed away on Thursday, February 23rd after a full and happy life of eighty-five years. She grew up on First Street in “Old” Luling, Louisiana as the only child of Prosper Donnaud and Cecile Caillet Donnaud. Dolores’ husband-to-be, Irvon “Cookie” Gomez, grew up just down the block as the youngest son of Henry Gomez and Alice Charlet Gomez. Cookie and Dolores were married in 1954 and soon thereafter Cookie’s stint in the Army took them both to Western Europe. Their first son, Gil, was born (1956) in an Army hospital in Germany. They returned to the States and resettled in Luling… on First Street. Gil’s four brothers followed in short order: Rudy (1957), Kirby (1958), Terence (1960), and Kelly (1963). Dolores stayed home managing a house full of boys until the youngest was well into grade school. She then began commuting to Nicholls State University, eventually earning a degree in Education and securing her teaching license. Dolores took her one and only teaching job in the mid-1970s, and over the next twenty years, hundreds of children growing up in Mimosa Park and the surrounding areas got their educational start in Mrs. Gomez’s kindergarten class. Dolores loved to teach and her students were a source of great pride. In retirement, she enjoyed traveling the country with Cookie, became an avid bird watcher, and spent many weekends and holidays visiting with her sons, her daughters-in-law, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren. Dolores was preceded in death by her parents, Prosper and Cecile Donnaud, and her oldest grandson, Terence “Tuna” Gomez Jr. Dolores lived her life first and foremost as a loving wife. She is survived by Cookie Gomez, her husband, her five sons, her five daughters-in-law, eleven grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. Surviving daughters-in-law: Dahl Bourg Gomez, Josephine Provost Gomez, Debra Kelone Gomez, Wendi St. Amant Gomez, and Melinda Gifford Gomez. Surviving grandchildren: Garrick Gomez, Chelsea Caswell, Jesse Downs, Mark Gomez, Thomas Gomez, Mary Alice Gomez, Giles Gomez, Claire Herrera, John Gomez, Thaia Gomez, and Brittany Gomez. Surviving great-grandchildren: Julia Downs, Jacob Downs, Charlie Downs, Oliver Gomez, Madison Gomez, Penelope Gomez, Easton Herrera, Halle Gomez, Brason Ponvelle, and Jillian Ponvelle. The Gomez family extends heartfelt gratitude to the kind, tireless caregivers who provided Dolores great comfort in her final years: Janice Cowman, Rebecca Tabor, Diane North, Beryl Trepina, and Neka Oubre. Visitation will be on Monday, February 27, 2017 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 155 Holy Family Lane, Luling, LA from 9AM to 11AM. Mass of Christian Burial, officiated by the Reverend John M. Perino, will follow. Burial at St. Charles Cemetery – Holy Savior Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Charles Public Schools Foundation. MOTHE FUNERAL HOME is in charge of arrangements.