Patricia Iris Picou

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies: Thou anointeth my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever and ever." Psalm 23. Surrounded by friends and family, Patricia Iris Blanchard Picou, 73, died peacefully at her home Friday, Sept. 10, 2010, after a lengthy illness.

Born in Port Barre to Julius and Myrtle Blanchard, she was raised in Baton Rouge and was a business owner and longtime resident of Gonzales. She was the beloved wife of 49 years of the late Arthur G. Picou Sr., whom she affectionately called "Love." Together, they worked tirelessly to grow their business, Picou Builder's Supply, while always making time for family. They shared a passion for traveling around the country in their motorcoach with their children, other family members and friends. Though she had many physical ailments through the years, she never let it affect her zest for life. She possessed an enormous and generous spirit that none who knew her could ever forget. She loved planting and tending her flower pots and beds, cooking and entertaining family and friends at their Tickfaw River home, shopping for antiquities, and oh how she loved Christmas. She always helped a family in need and enjoyed spoiling her family and friends with little "happys" then and throughout the year and her greatest joy in later years was her grandchildren.

She is survived by her beloved children, Daniel, Candace and fiancée Daniel Miremont, Sanford and wife Tammie, and Christopher and wife Teresa; and stepchildren, Francis and husband Robert, Donald and wife Margaret "Peg," Ronald and wife Melonie, Arthur Jr. and wife Kay and Richard Sr. and wife Crystal. She is also survived by brothers, Gerald and wife Brenda, and Benny; and her beloved little sister, Star Milton and husband Ed. Also survived by grandchildren, Mackenzi Marie Picou, Harrison Arthur Picou Low and Ansley Belle Picou, Ashlynn Lane Picou and Alexandra Grace Picou, Cheryl Cuccia, Deborah Cuccia, Robert Cuccia Jr., Michael Cuccia, Christina Cuccia, Donna Berggren, Victoria Cairns, Ronda Borel, Tisha Rawls, Robin Paulos, Arthur Picou III, Matthew Picou, Mia Rasch, Richard Picou Jr., Marguerite True Picou, Matthew and Jacob Lefeaux; and great-grandchildren, Amber and Jade Fak, Ashley, Timothy and Jared Moskau, Peyton and Nicholas Cuccia, Margaret Rose and Matthew Berggren, Sasha Vicknair, Chance Borel, James "Trey" Rawls III, and Tracelyn Rawls, Jalen Paulos, Adalyn Picou, Brandon Picou, Chase Picou, Connor Duplessis and Richard James Picou III. Also survived by nieces, Kim Kea and Karen Milton; nephews, Edgar "Chip" Milton IV and wife Carla, Joey Blanchard, Jason Blanchard and wife Stephanie; great-nieces, Camille Dean, Amanda, Brooke and Jenna Russell; great-nephews, Cody and Cole Milton, Justin Blanchard and Gavin Blanchard; and numerous other relatives and friends. Pallbearers will be Chip Milton, Richard Picou Jr., James Rawls Jr., Peter Harris, Herman "Punkie" Soong, Derek Berggren, Chris Cairns and Jason Welch. Preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Arthur G. Picou Sr.; and parents, Julius J. and Myrtle Blanchard.

Visitation at Ourso Funeral Home, Gonzales, on Monday, Sept. 13, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Tuesday, Sept. 14, from 9 a.m. until religious service at 11 a.m. Entombment in Hope Haven Garden of Memory Cemetery in Gonzales. The Picou family would like to sincerely thank her caregivers, Sheila Hebert, Darlene Rayborn and Dawn Gilbert, for their loving and compassionate care. We would also like to thank Pastor Cresley Pierce and wife Rebecca of Life Church for their soothing songs and prayers at our mother's bedside and also her hospice nurse, Kit Dean, and Chaplain James Parker, with Hospice Compassus. Special thanks to Dr. Everett Bonner of Baton Rouge General Medical Center for giving us three and a half more months with our Mom. To offer condolences to the family or sign the online guestbook, please visit www.oursofh.com.