Wildarene Fontenot

MAMOU – Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Mamou on Saturday, December 5, 2020 for Wildarene Marcantel Fontenot, age 83.

Father Bala Rayapati will be celebrant of the Mass and will conduct funeral services.

Burial will take place in New St. Ann Cemetery.

Wildarene Marcantel Fontenot passed away on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 in Mamou, LA.  She was a lifelong resident of Mamou.  Wildarene was born on September 9, 1937 to Nat and Lela Marcantel.

During her lifetime she was a devout Catholic.  Wildarene was active in her faith and in her church having served as a member of the Ladies Alter Society, Catholic Daughters of America, and a Lay member of the Secular Carmelites of Lafayette.  She also served as a Eucharistic Minister and was a Lector at St. Ann’s Catholic Church.  For many years she administered the Eucharist at Savoy Medical Center and Savoy Care Center.  She also taught catechism for many years for St. Ann’s Catholic Church Parish.  She was a member and officer with the Jaycee Jaynes and was voted “Woman of the Year’ by the American Legion for the Town of Mamou.

Wildarene was a longtime educator in Mamou, LA.  She graduated from Mamou High School in 1955.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree from University of Southwestern Louisiana (currently ULL) in 1958.  She received a Masters’ of Education in counseling and a degree in French from LSU.  Early in her career, she was a 2nd and 3rd grade teacher at Mamou Elementary.  She later became the head of the French Curriculum at Mamou Upper Elementary where she was known as “Madame Fontenot.”  She closed out her career as a religion teacher at St. Edmund High School in Eunice.

Wildarene is survived by her only sister, Barbara Guillory; her two daughters, Carmen Fontenot Ardoin and husband, Wendell and Connie Fontenot Brignac and husband, Craig; her two sons, Kent Fontenot and wife, Kathy and Bryan Fontenot and wife, Jo Ann; her 11 grandchildren: Keli Ardoin Williams and husband, Chad; Kevin Ardoin and wife, Lauren; Claire Ardoin; Conner Ardoin; Jerod Fontenot and wife, Katie; Adrienne Fontenot; Brooke Fontenot Daniels and husband, Jansen; Amber Fontenot Veron and husband, Jared; Lacey Fontenot Guillory and husband, Justin; Katelyn Brignac Berzas and husband, Ryan; Cade Brignac; and her 14 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Nat & Lela Manuel Marcantel; her husband, Ray Fontenot; her twin brother, Wilbur Ray Marcantel; her brother, Derrel Lane Marcantel; her brother in law, Larry Guillory; and great-grandchild, Peyton Ardoin.

The family requests that visitation be observed at Ardoin’s Funeral Home in Mamou on Friday, December 4, 2020 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM. A rosary will be recited by Deacon Gary Gaudin at 6:00 PM.  Visitation will resume on Saturday, December 5, 2020 from 9:00 AM until time of service.

Family and friends may leave condolences for the Fontenot family at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com.

Ardoin’s Funeral Home in Mamou is in charge of arrangements