Geraldine "Gerry" Josephine Ardoin

Born on October 12, 1930 in Welsh to the late Eldridge and Ada (LeJeune) Leger, she graduated from Welsh High School. Gerry attended Tom Hebert Baptist Church where she was a member of the adult Sunday school class and did missionary work in Mexico. Gerry’s activisms for a clean environment began in 1989 when she began and lead Iowan’s for a Clean Environment (ICE). With little to no budget, Gerry was able to defeat the push for a Western Waste Land Fill which would have been within 500 feet of her and her husband’s property. It took 6 ½ years to defeat the land fill proposal. For her efforts, she was summoned to Washington, D.C. where she was presented an Environmental Award from the DEQ. The award was presented by Ralph Nadar. Gerry’s work for a better Louisianan is highlighted in a book: Women Pioneers of the Louisiana Environmental Movement; by Peggy Frankland with Susan Tucker. She retired after 50 years in retail from Baker Shoe Store, The Fair Store and Brown Stewart.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Melvin, Sr.; sons, Ken (Debra Bertrand) Ardoin of Lake Charles, Tony (Melinda) Ardoin of Beaumont, TX, Melvin “Cowboy” (Brenda) Ardoin of Lake Charles; daughter, Sharon (Carlos) Martinez of Houston; ten grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild; sisters, Florence Bialy of Monroe, MI; Betty Boulineau of Augusta, GA; twin brother, Gerald Leger of Bogue Chitto, MS. She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Harold, E. J., Frankie and great granddaughter, Paige Ardoin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave, 7th Floor; New York, NY 10001.