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It is with great sadness and immense sorrow that the family of Janie Marie Labbe’ Fontenot announces that she passed away on Saturday, April 22, 2023, in a local hospice facility at the age of 71.   

Janie was born on Nov. 10, 1951, to the late Joseph and Marjorie (Delahoussaye) Labbe’ in New Iberia, La. At the age of 4, Janie and several members of her extended family relocated to Lake Charles, La., where she graduated from Washington High School in 1969. She married her late spouse, Darryl Wayne Fontenot, on Aug. 13, 1970, and relocated with him to Houston, Texas, where they lived for four years.  They then moved to Eunice, La., where they lived for 21 years before relocating to Lake Charles, La., in 1996, where she lived until her passing.  In 1986, Janie graduated from the University of Southwest Louisiana (now ULL), where she obtained a bachelor’s degree.  Janie was a teacher who taught for 10 years in the St. Landry Parish School system before working as a school librarian at Oak Park Middle School in Lake Charles, La., where she began working in 1996 before retiring in 2004.  She loved teaching and was passionate about and cared for all her students.   

Janie is survived by three children, Nicole Fontenot, of River Ridge, La., Jarred Fontenot of Metairie, La., and James Fontenot of Lake Charles, La. She is also survived by her siblings,  Joseph F. Labbe’ Jr., Hayward J. (Marjorie) Labbe’ Sr., Peter M. (Sherril) Labbe’ Sr., Paul G. (Valtelene) Labbe’ Lillie M. Labbe’ and Lou A. (Michael) Nelson, all of Lake Charles, La. She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Darryl Wayne Fontenot; her parents, Marjorie and Joseph Labbe Sr.; her godchild, Hayward J. (Janet) Labbe’ Jr.; her nephew, Rayward W. Labbe’; and a host of very loved extended family members, including family members of the heart.  

Janie was a devoted mother to her children, each of whom considered her not only their mother, but also their best friend.  She loved gardening, teaching, reading, helping others, going to church, studying the Bible, watching classic movies and, most of all, spending time with her family.  She had a kind heart, a quick wit, and a dry sense of humor up until the very end.  She wanted people to know that as difficult as it was to initially accept her diagnosis and the news of the very limited time she had remaining, once she accepted it, she was at peace and honored to die so close to Easter, in the time of our risen Lord.  

A time of visitation and remembrance for family and friends will be from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. with a Rosary being recited at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, May 5, 2023, at Johnson Funeral Home, 4321 Lake St., Lake Charles, LA 70605.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 935 Bilbo Street, Lake Charles, LA 70602.  Interment will immediately follow the funeral Mass at Consolata Cemetery, 2300 Country Club Rd., Lake Charles, LA 70605. 

The family would like to express our most sincere gratitude and appreciation to everyone who offered prayers, support and love to our mother.   Your thoughtfulness and kindness will always be remembered.  We would also like to thank the wonderful staff at both Lake Charles Memorial Hospital and Harbor Hospice of Lake Charles.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.