Irene Courville

BASILE-It is with the heaviest of hearts that the family of Irene Mae Courville announces her passing on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at her home at the age of 94. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 pm on Monday, October 6, 2025, at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Basile, La. Entombment will follow in the St. Augustine Mausoleum with Father Keenan Brown serving as Celebrant.

Irene was born on October 25, 1930, to the late Avie and Delia Courville. A devoted Catholic, Irene was known for her daily ritual of reading Psalm 91 over her family, a testament to her unwavering faith and love. She was also a Sodality Queen at St. Augustine Church in Basile, embodying a spirit of service and devotion to her community. She had a profound love for her family and adored her grandchildren and always found joy in nurturing those relationships. Throughout her life, Irene engaged in many passions—whether it was reading a good book, sewing beautiful pieces, expressing her musical talent at the piano, or enjoying a game of tennis. Irene’s early years were spent studying and living with the nuns, shaping her compassionate character and deeply held values. She leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and creativity that will forever resonate in the hearts of those she touched.

Irene will be missed by all, especially her daughters, Charlotte Courville Reed and husband, Fabian Reed Jr. of Lake Charles, Angela Courville Quienalty and husband, Douglas of Lake Charles, and Ruby Courville Aucoin and husband, Chad of Basile; her fifteen grandchildren, Amy Johnson Cole and husband, Steven of Jackson, MS, Michelle Johnson Hebert and husband, Allen of Welsh, Benny Johnson and wife, Dawn of Alaska, Anita Johnson Benoit and husband, Roger of Welsh, Ashley Johnson, Crystal Johnson, Brooke Miller LeBlanc and husband, Nick, Blair Chamberlain Arceneaux and husband, Chance, Caroline Chamberlain Eggleston and husband, Nathan, and Megan Courville all of Lake Charles, Shea Aucoin, Seth Aucoin and wife, Sarah, Emma Kate Aucoin, and Nate Aucoin, all of Basile and Kaylyn Courville of Metairie; fifteen great grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Donna Bertrand Shidla of Lake Charles as well as extended family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, John Nathan Courville; son, Johnathan Neil Courville; her parents, Avie and Delia Courville; sisters, Emily Courville Christ and Jeanette Courville Savoie; and her brother, Cliford Courville.

As we gather to celebrate Irene’s life, visitation will be held at Ardoin’s Funeral Home in Basile, on Monday, October 6, 2025, from 10:00 am until time of services. The Ladies Altar Society will pray a Rosary at 12:15pm.

Family and friends are invited to visit Irene’s obituary and sign the guestbook at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com.

Ardoin’s Funeral Home of Basile is in charge of arrangements, located at 1210 South Ryan, (337) 432-6726.