Thursday, September 16….a husband and wife gently said I love you, kissed each other good night, and closed their eyes to that day. On Friday morning, September 17 as the sun would rise, a beautiful soul, Gloria Thomas Broussard, closed her eyes to this earthly life and went on to her glory of eternal peace and rest. She was 76.
Gloria, affectionately known by family and friends as Sugar, was born October 19, 1944 in Abbeville to the late Allen Thomas, Sr. and the late Lucy Broussard Thomas and was one of eight children born to that blessed union. Gloria met and married the love her life, John D. Broussard, Jr. John reminisced, with a smile and some tears speaking of their favorite song, Theme from Summer Place. It was so special to them that whenever they heard it on the radio, he would stop the car or whatever they were doing and just hold each other in their arms. They truly lived a modern day Love Story.
In her early years she operated a successful hair salon, but it was John’s wish that when they began a family, he wanted Gloria to be home with the children to nurture and love them as they planned. So with the arrival of their first child Julie, she left her career as a hair dresser for the best role ever….being a mother. They would soon welcome two more children, Janet and Steven. As years went on, their family grew and soon grandchildren were born. The family shared a story of how she and John selected what they would be called as grandparents. She didn’t want to be Granny, and there on the counter of their kitchen was a box of cereal…..Sugar Pops. And that is what Gloria and John would be called by their grandchildren and great grandchildren, Sugar and Pops.
Sugar lived a faith filled life as well. Prayer was a daily part of her life and the family kept that very close to their hearts. She surrounded herself with family and always made sure that her family and friends were cared for before her own needs. Julie, Janet and Steven spoke of how wonderful of a cook she was. Hearty meals prepared with as much Cajun flavor as she could add, and some extra love made for very memorable meals. Sugar was talented in crafts and art and painted many paintings for her family and friends. She also enjoyed bowling and was a member of a league bowling team in Lafayette. But her favorite pastime was dancing. She and John could cut a rug and dance all night, and she would get her son Steven on the floor as well.
Above all, family was Sugar’s most important reason for her being. She immersed herself in every moment that they were together. One of their last family gatherings was in Pensacola at Steven’s home where the entire family celebrated his 20 plus year retirement from the Air Force, and they took a beautiful family portrait on the beach. It was truly a trip that will be remembered for a lifetime. She leaves a legacy of faith, love, and compassion for all that will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Your beautiful smile and warm heart now bring light to the heavens above. Rest well Sugar, for you have earned your heavenly reward.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband and best friend of 56 years, John D. Broussard, Jr.; her three children, Julie Elizabeth Broussard, Janet Broussard Bares (Farrell), and Steven Michael Broussard (Dallas); ten grandchildren whom she absolutely adored, Natalie Leon (Holden), Paul Michael Domingue, Jr., Mary Elise Domingue Fenney (Cameron), Phillip Domingue (Kim), Blake Bares (Amber), Andre’ Bares, Mitchell Bares (Brittany), Benjamin Bares, Caroline Broussard and Charlotte Broussard; her precious great grandchildren, Riley, Ashton, Aidan, Blake Elise, Amelie, Eloise and Avery Claire; and her brothers and sisters, Allen Thomas, Jr., Frances Broussard, Raymond Thomas, Emily Richard and Marshall Thomas.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by sisters, Cecile Baudoin and Linda Stoute.
A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Sugar’s life will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Fr. Michael Russo, Pastor of St. Anne Catholic Church, will be the celebrant. Following the mass, Mrs. Broussard will be laid to rest at St. Peter’s Cemetery.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at Evangeline Funeral Home on Monday from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm, with the recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 pm. Visiting hours will resume on Tuesday from 10:00 am until 1:30 pm dismissal.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Steven Broussard, Farrell Bares, Paul and Phillip Domingue, and Andre’ and Mitchell Bares. Blake Bares, Ben Bares, Holden Leon and Cameron Fenney will serve as honorary pallbearers.
The family would like to acknowledge the amazing work by the ER and ICU team at Our Lady of Lourdes hospital with an extra special thanks to Sister Nguyen.
Flowers for the family or Memorial contributions may be made in Sugar’s name to Saint Anne Catholic Church Building Fund, 201 Church Street, Youngsville, LA 70592.
Family and friends are encouraged to share their memories and condolences with the family by visiting Sugar’s memorial page at www.evangelinefuneralhome.com
Evangeline Funeral Home of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.
