Kathleen D. Thibodeaux

Kathleen D. “Kathy” Thibodeaux, 80 years old, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 13, 2025, in her Lake Charles home, surrounded by the love and presence of her family. She was born on June 9, 1945, in Basile, Louisiana, to Sidney and Eva Richard Deshotel.

Kathy was a devoted mother and a faithful Catholic whose life was rooted in love for her family, her faith, and her community. She was known for her warm spirit, her generous heart, and her ability to make others feel welcome wherever she went.

Raised in Tee Mamou, Kathy learned the value of hard work early in life. As a young woman, she picked cotton and helped peel crawfish at a processing plant, experiences that shaped her strength, humility, and deep appreciation for simple blessings. She graduated from Iota High School and later shared her caring nature through her work as a substitute teacher for special education preschool students at College Oaks Elementary.

Kathy found joy in life’s everyday moments. She loved Mardi Gras, bingo, Cajun French dancing, and was always ready to go anywhere, anytime. A talented cook, she was known for her fruit cocktail cake and authentic Cajun cooking. One of her greatest joys was hosting Christmas Eve gatherings in her home, creating memories filled with laughter, tradition, and love.

Kathy will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her steady faith, and the warmth she brought into every room. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the love she shared so freely. May she rest in peace, comforted by God’s embrace and forever cherished in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

She leaves behind her three children, Tessa Miller (Richard), Troy Thibodeaux, Sr. (Joleen), and Kevin Thibodeaux (Karen); her grandchildren, Blane Thibodeaux, Tamzie Janise (Josh), Martin Thibodeaux (Gabrielle), Preston Thibodeaux, Kolton Thibodeaux (Madison), Brenna Thibodeaux, Maya Thibodeaux, Laramee Tracy (Brian), and Emilee Veillon; seventeen great grandchildren; her brothers, Kenneth Deshotel (Adwiner), and Larry Deshotel; and her sister, Debra Cox.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband of 46 years, Preston J. Thibodeaux; her daughter, Greta Veillon; and her grandson, Brett Miller.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 221 Aqua Drive, with Father Paul Jussen serving as Celebrant. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel, 4321 Lake Street, on Monday, Dec. 15 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM, with a rosary being recited at 6:30 PM. Visitation will resume on Tuesday at 9:00 AM until departing for the church at 12:30 PM.

The family would like to give special thanks to Signature Nursing Services LCC and Harbor Hospice for the compassionate support and care they provided to our mother and our family.