Harriet Babineaux Shea

Harriet Babineaux Shea was born in 1929 in Coteau to Alcée and Aline Babineaux. She had only fond memories of her childhood days, playing hide and seek in the sugarcane fields, helping out at her father’s country grocery store, and “laughing so hard our stomach would hurt” with her sisters.

She graduated high school from Mount Carmel Academy in 1946 and attended USL for two years, majoring in secretarial science. She was working at The Daily Iberian when she married Jerry Shea, Sr. on Aug. 21, 1949. They went on to have six children, 21 grandchildren, and 36 great-grandchildren.

Harriet wore many hats throughout her life. She was the youngest of her 11 Babineaux siblings, a devoted wife to her husband Jerry Sr. for 69 years, a loving mother, a proud grandmother, and a doting great-grandmother. Her most fabulous role of all was as Miss America, a nickname she fully embodied with grand pageantry and a sparkling crown. The title came from a portrait of her as queen of the Krewe of Andalusia in 1976, and she had her grandchildren convinced she was a beauty queen, even signing her letters and cards “Miss A.” Poised with elegance and grace—and a bit of Cajun spice—Harriet centered her life around family. Affectionately known to her grandchildren as “Mamon,” she was the beloved matriarch of her extended family.

She was a champion gin player and challenged her grandchildren to games using real money. An early adopter of technology, she communicated with family members via video calls first on AOL and then FaceTime. She and Jerry explored the country in their motorhome and traveled abroad, evidence of her adventurous spirit.

She will be remembered for her family recipes, especially her beloved stuffed artichokes and award-winning cabbage rolls; moves on the dancefloor at family weddings; and generously delivering gifts to the family Christmas party dressed as Mrs. Clause. She was also active in the community as a member of the Mothers’ clubs of Mount Carmel and Catholic High School, a member of the Kiwanis Club, founding member of the Friends of the Humanities at UL Lafayette, and a member of the board of directors of the Louisiana State Museum. She volunteered for Catholic High’s Holly Mart for many years and enjoyed her regular meetings of the Cultural Society (a club formed with her friends to play gin), Fortnightly, and her rosary group.

As the youngest sibling, Harriet always wore hand-me-down clothes and shoes, but she made up for it later in life with her love of shopping and sense of style—named “Best Dressed of the Teche” in 2000. She and Jerry received the “Distinguished Citizen Award” in 2001 from the Boy Scouts Evangeline Area Council and were named “Couple of the Year” by the Community Foundation of Acadiana in 2013. They also founded a scholarship at Catholic High.

Her zest for life emanated from every full-body laugh, while only one look from her notorious “Babineaux Eyes” affirmed nothing could get past her. Her special friend was Shaquille O’Neal, and she proudly told friends and family about his visits to her home. She was especially proud of her late niece Kathleen Babineaux Blanco and loved campaigning and going to events with her during her tenure as lieutenant governor and governor. Blanco proclaimed Harriet’s birthday of Oct. 3 a “day of joy” in the state of Louisiana.

Harriet was devout in her faith and devoted to Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos. While her family will miss her larger-than-life personality and bright light, we know she is at home with God.

Much gratitude is extended to Laura Thibodeaux and Lauren Michel with Hospice of Acadiana; Lorraine Lockhart and her sitters; and Yvonne Cleary, Cris Thibodeaux, and Carla Lewis, who cared for her in the last years of her life.

She is survived by her five children: Jerry Shea, Jr. and wife Beverly; Mary Shea Zaunbrecher and husband Russell; James Shea and wife Virginia; Kelly Shea Holleman and husband James; Ellen Shea Mullen and husband Greg; and Beth LaSalle Shea, widow of Steven Shea, Sr.

Harriet was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Andrew, Lawson, Louis, and Pierre Babineaux; sisters Angelle Freeman, Vivian Myers, Elsie Broussard, Verna Patout, Georgie "Joyce" Indest, and Martrine Gastineau; her best friend and cherished husband Jerry Shea, Sr; son Steven Shea, Sr.; granddaughter Allison Shea; and great-grandchildren Andrew and Katherine Shea.

Visitation will be held at Pellerin Funeral Home in New Iberia on Friday, July 25, from 4-8 p.m. with a rosary recited at 6 p.m. Visitation will resume Saturday, July 26, from 9-11 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in New Iberia. Mass to remember the life of this remarkable woman will be celebrated at Sacred Heart on July 26 beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Holy Family Cemetery, and a reception will follow at Sacred Heart Church Hall.

Pallbearers are Lindley Holleman, Jerry Mullen, Charles Shea, Patrick Shea, Steven Shea, Jr., and Nicholas Zaunbrecher. Honorary pallbearers are Andrew Holleman, Adam LaSalle, Zach LaSalle, William Mullen, Griffin Shea, and Richard Zaunbrecher.

Memorials may be made to Catholic High School and the Jerry and Harriet Shea Family Scholarship, 1301 DeLasalle Dr., New Iberia, LA 70560; Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston St., Lafayette, LA 70503; and Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana, P.O. Box 62166, Lafayette, LA 70596.

Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace, New Iberia, LA 70560 (337.365.3331)