Dorothy "Dot" DeKeyzer

New Iberia – Memorial services will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Pellerin Funeral Home, for Dorothy “Dot” Olivier DeKeyzer, 92, who passed away on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. 

 Entombment will be at a later date.

 The Very Reverend Annie B. Etheredge will officiate.

 Visitation will be Saturday, from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm, at Pellerin Funeral Home. 

 A lifelong area resident, Mrs. DeKeyzer was born on September 13, 1931, to the late Whitney and Clara Julia Young Olivier. She was a 1950 graduate of Northwestern State University, where she receievd her degree in Business Education, and was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha. While in college, Dot met her husband, Robert DeKeyzer. Together they served on the Dean’s Advisory Board, College of Business. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution New Iberia Chapter, and was a former member of Entre Nous. 

 Mrs. DeKeyzer taught commerce subjects for many years at St. Joseph High School in Jeanerette. She inspired many students throughout the years, kept a very disclipined class, and was known for “The Look.” She did have a lighter side; she occasionally drove her son’s Corvette to school when he was out of town. It’s reported that when arriving one day, one student was giving the car admiring looks. When she parked and got out, he realized it was his bookkeeping teacher, groaned and said “oh, no, man!” Many of her students went on to careers in accounting, bookkeeping, and office administration. Later, she worked with her husband, Robert to found and operate hoh-PAK Ltd., and later hoh-PAK Laboratory. Both businesses are still in operation, growing from a literal “mom and pop” to two companies serving the wastewater, salt and sugar industries. Ever the passionate teacher, she delighted in teaching her son-in-law bookkeeping when he expressed an interest in learning the subject. She had a gift with words, and passed on her love of reading and expression to her children. 

 She and her husband enjoyed dancing and were always ready to “shake a leg.” They were members of the Petroleum Club, and delighted in taking their grandchildren to events there. She and her husband enjoyed yoga and many daytime road trips, where she always drove. They also enjoyed traveling to the beach with friends, Jack and Carla Wormser. Well known as a careful driver, she was never a “little old lady” driver, even when her years might have suggested otherwise. (Ask her children, who presented her with a Christmas gift of a radar detector just a few years ago.) She remained extremely active until her final illness and hung up her keys a few months ago. 

She was an inspiration and a blessing to all who knew her, and probably the greatest “encourager” you could ask for. She loved her family and friends deeply, and faced her final illness with grace, dignity and courage, letting those closest to her know how much she loved them.

Survivors include her children, Brenda DeKeyzer Lowry (David Lowry), and Gregory Robert Olivier DeKeyzer (Janice Erickson DeKeyzer); grandchildren, Ian Michael Lowry, Roane Gregory Olivier DeKeyzer, Julia Louise Lowry, and Marie Claire Olivier DeKeyzer; son of the heart, Harris Kline; and sister of the heart, Carla Wormser.

 In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Robert DeKeyzer; and a sister, Patricia Olivier Thomas.

 The family would like to give special thanks to Vanessa Batiste, Gwen Charles, Hospice of Acadiana, the staff of hoh-PAK, and the staff of Renaissance Market.

 Donations may be made in her memory to: Daughters of the American Revolution, New Iberia Chapter (P O Box 10103 New Iberia 70562), Sisters of Mercy (www.sistersofmercy.org) or Hospice of Acadiana (www.hospiceacadiana.com). 

 Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd, New Iberia, LA (337.365.3331).