Janice L. Benoit

New Iberia – A memorial service will be held at 4:00 pm on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Pellerin Funeral Home for Janice Long Benoit, 91, who passed away on December 15, 2024. 

Rev. Xavier Torres will officiate.

Private inurnment will be in Nebraska at a later date.

Visitation will be at Pellerin Funeral Home from 3:00 pm until 4:00 pm on March 13, 2025. A presentation by the Louisiana Nurse Honor Guard of Acadiana will begin at 3:45pm

Janice was born in Plattsmouth, Nebraska on December 21, 1932. A longtime Iberia Parish resident, she had resided in Bluffton, SC since 2018. 

She attended public school in the rural area and graduated from Plattsmouth High School in 1949. Janice returned to the “one room” schoolhouse of her childhood, and taught grades 1-8 for two years. In 1951, she entered Nebraska Methodist School of Nursing in Omaha, NE, where she received her Registered Nursing degree in 1954. 

Robert W. Benoit met Janice Long soon after her graduation, and after a long-distance courtship, they married on December 29, 1954. They made Lafayette, LA their home until 1956. Janice worked at Our Lady of Lake Hospital, and later as office nurse for Dr. Harold Chastant. The next ten years Robert and Janice made their home in Bellevue, NE, returning to New Iberia, in June of 1966. 

Janice was an instructor of Practical Nursing for 19 years at Teche Area Vocational-Technical School in New Iberia. Retiring in 1989, she stayed active as a volunteer at both Dauterive Hospital and Iberia Medical Center until 2018. She had recently celebrated her 70th Anniversary from graduation at the Nebraska Methodist College, “Class of 1954.” 

Janice loved to be of service to people in the community. She was an active member of Women’s Club of New Iberia, Shadows-on-the-Teche as docent, and Iberia Visitor’s Bureau. She enjoyed serving as a member of United Methodist Women, unique restoration projects, and UMCOR disaster relief and preparation. 

She enjoyed traveling, dancing, baking, entertaining, and photography with her beloved husband, Bob, for many years until his passing in 2001. Traveling to North America, Mexico and Europe fulfilled lifelong wishes. After Bob’s death, travel with friends, family, and at times, solo was a passion. Janice loved to read and was particularly fond of forensics novels and crime stories - the more macabre, the better. She considered her innate ability to “always get along well with people” her finest asset, coupled with her bright smile.

Janice is survived by daughters, Paula B. Power (Ron) of Bluffton, SC, and Laura B. Coles (John) of St. Petersburg, FL; grandchildren, Ian, Erin, Natalie, and Adair McNear, Haesel Edgerly, Robert Garrett Benoit, Jesse P. Benoit, Helena J. Dominick; great grandchildren, Kinsley Rae, and Beau G. Benoit; and very special nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Edna Long; husband of 46 years, Robert W. “Bob” Benoit, Sr.; daughter, Mary Beth McNear; son, Robert W. Benoit, Jr.; sisters, Donna Rae, and Mary Jane Long; and brother, Donald P. Long. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Methodist Church of New Iberia, Community Meal Fund, 119 Jefferson St, New Iberia, La 70560, or St. Francis Diner, 1201 S. Hopkins St., New Iberia, LA 70560. 

Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560 (337-365-3331).