Janice Lynn Conoly was born June 26, 1944 in Dallas, Texas. She enjoyed traveling, teaching, and dancing. She especially enjoyed drill team when it was introduced into the curriculum and was chosen captain. This was to have a great influence on her life. After high school graduation, she attended Kilgore Junior College and became a Rangerette. She worked Six years at Southern Methodist Dance/Drill Team School. Then, she became the lieutenant of the Strutters of Southwest Texas State University, the largest college dance team. She formed Halftime Dance Camp and during summer vacation, she taught dance/drill team camps at Loyola University, Arkansas Tech, and many private camps throughout the United States. She was a member of five Super Bowl pre-game choreographers.
Her first teaching experience was first grade in New Braunfels, Texas. Then to Killeen and North Shore Senior High in Galena Park, Texas. Around this time is when Joe Picard Jr. and her met. They would later marry and raise their five children in Sulphur, Louisiana, where she was a resident for over 50 years. While living in Sulphur she received her Master’s Degree from McNeese State University, taught at Le Blanc Middle School, and was a teacher at Our Lady's School in Sulphur. She then moved to St. Louis Catholic High where she held tryouts and formed the Sweethearts drill team. During her time at St. Louis, she was known for her gold shoes and love for her dance teams. After retiring from teaching, she continued working in the dance/drill team world at Central Catholic in Morgan City, Louisiana. She was inducted into the St. Louis Catholic High School Hall of Fame.
Janice was very devoted to her Catholic faith. She was a member of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church and Christ the King Catholic Church. She was a member of Catholic Daughters and volunteered at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church. She volunteered with the 2nd grade religion classes at Our Lady’s School and Christ the King Catholic Church CCD program.
Survivors include her children, Jodi Fontenot and husband, Michael of Lake Charles, Joseph Picard, III and wife, Katrina of Bossier City, John Picard and wife, Toby of Covington, James "Jay" Picard and wife, Tammy of Carlyss, and Jeffrey Picard (Taylor Gaines) of Moss Bluff; her brothers, Emmett Conoly and wife, Rosalie of Mesquite, Texas, and Weldon Conoly and wife, Cindy of Bluff Dale, Texas; fourteen grandchildren, Cheyenne Wade, Dakota Dimmitt, Jeannette Fontenot, McMichael Fontenot, Victoria "Tori" Price, Jackson Picard, Hunter Picard, Caitlyn Brasseaux, Alex Pulver, Kole Picard, Amber Gallegos, Lucas "DJ" Thibeaux, Ty Picard, and Demi Picard; and twenty-one great-grandchildren with three on the way. She is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Picard, Jr; her parents, Emmett and Vurda Conoly; her in-laws, Joseph Picard, Sr. and Rita Picard; and a grandson-in-law, Jordan Wade.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, October 9 in Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Sulphur. The Very Rev. Rojo A. Palatty Koonathan, V.F. will officiate. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 4-8 p.m at Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home with a rosary service at 6 p.m. and from 8:30 a.m. Monday until dismissal to the church. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial donations be made to Our Lady's School, 1111 Cypress Street, Sulphur, LA 70663 (Breeah, Kaigen, J.W.). The family would like to give special thanks to her son-in-law, Michael Fontenot for being her private handyman and caregiver. Words of comfort and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.
