Gertrude “Gertie” Broussard was born in Jeanerette, Louisiana on June 22, 1915. She spent the early years of her life on the grounds of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola where her father was the warden. At the age of 12, Gertie left Louisiana and moved to Beaumont, Texas where she lived with relatives until she graduated from Beaumont High School at the age of 17 on June 2, 1932. Upon completion of high school, she moved to Port Arthur, Texas where she met Eugene B. Broussard whom she married in 1935 and remained with until his death 50 years later. They had one son, Barton “Buddy” Broussard, a resident of Kountze, Texas.
Gertie’s mission in life was to reach out and help as many individuals as she could through volunteering for countless charities and organizations. One of her favorite organizations was RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) where she volunteered for over 20 years and received many awards for her dedication. She worked as a docent at Pompaiian Villa in Port Arthur and with charities such as the Red Cross and The Salvation Army. One of her latest awards was being nominated by Michael’s Hair Parlor to be the “Working Women of the Week” for KKMY radio station. She was overwhelmed when she was ‘live’ on the radio and told she was the oldest recipient to ever receive the award. She shared with all of her friends that had gathered in the salon to surprise her that it was one of the happiest days of her life.
Gertie remembered the beauty of Hotel Beaumont in the 1940s when it was the hub of Beaumont society. She attended many dances and dinners in the ‘Rose Room”. In 1999 when she decided to sell her home and retire, there was only one place she considered for her future home, The Hotel Beaumont Retirement Center. Without hesitation, Gertie moved into the hotel and quickly became one of the most well liked residents of the Hotel Beaumont family. She was always the first one to greet new residents and make them feel welcome to their new home. She volunteered herself once again to Monica Webb, Executive Director of Hotel Beaumont and Nancy Resendez, Activities Director and would show potential residents and their families around the hotel, as if it were a guided tour. In addition, she volunteered at the hotel beauty shop, Michael’s Hair Parlor, where she met Michael Manuel who became her ‘adopted grandson’. She spent hours in the shop visiting with clients and sharing with them her adventure with Michael during Hurricane Rita. But she always concluded her story with how happy she was to be back at the salon and home again.
Gertie was loved by everyone she touched. She lived each day to the fullest and she was active until the day of her passing. There will always be an empty spot in Hotel Beaumont and at the ‘salon’ now that she is gone. But that cute laugh and her kind words will echo forever in the ears of those that loved her.
Gertie’s desire was to dedicate her body to science in hopes that through her contribution to medicine, a deeper understanding of life might be discovered. Upon receiving her ashes, Michael will place her to rest in the Manuel family plot at Nibletts Bluff Cemetery in Vinton, Louisiana.
A special memorial service will be held at Hotel Beaumont on Friday, May 19, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. in the Mirror Room. All of her friends are invited to attend. Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to the “Loveland Garden Project" at Hotel Beaumont, 625 Orleans, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
This is not ‘Goodbye’ but only ‘Farewell For Now’ for we will see each other again.
I love you Gertie (Kitty)….Michael
