Janice Hebert McNeil

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 8, 2023 in Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist for Janice Hebert McNeil, 87, who met her eternal reward on July 3, 2023.
Fr. Chester Arceneaux, Pastor of Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, will be Celebrant of the Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Lectors will be Ashley deClouet and Katy Durrette. Serving as gift-bearers will be Noah Chappelle, Logan Dubois, and Ella Dubois
Burial will take place in Lafayette Memorial Park.
Mrs. Janice, a resident of Lafayette, was the daughter of the late Joseph Didier Hebert and the former Edmonia "Mona" Claire Webb.
Janice was a lifelong resident of Lafayette. She was a member of the 1952 LHS graduating class and a graduate of USL. As a college freshman, she was chosen as the first Cotton Queen of Ville Platte and served as pageant judge and honored guest over the years. She was a first grade teacher for 32 years; 7 years at St. Genevieve and 25 years at L. Leo Judice. Mrs. McNeil delighted in every child she was privileged to teach, and encouraged the best from each of her students. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa and was “Teacher of the Year” twice for Lafayette Parish School System. After retiring from teaching, she was able to travel extensively and also began her second career as volunteer curator of the museum at St. John’s Cathedral where she served for 25 plus years. Both in French and in English, she shared her knowledge and memories of her precious Acadiana and beloved Cathedral. A tour with Miss Jan was an experience not soon to be forgotten. She was featured on the cover of Acadiana Catholic with her Museum Ministry: “Bridging the Past with the Future” article. She was recipient of the Lois Wyatt Bannon “Heart and Soul” Service Award, as well as the Bishop’s Service Award. She also served as a Eucharistic minister and taught catechism.
Janice lived her life focused on faith and family, and was an inspiration to all who knew her. She was a true servant of the Lord, and her life was a lesson in grace and compassion. Her legacy will live on in those who called her Mom, Mamaw, Chook, Aunt Janice, Mrs. McNeil and Miss Jan. She was a cancer survivor and fought a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Left to cherish her memory are her five children, Bonnie Louvierre (Michael), Beth Stoelzel (Dan), Julie McNeil-Sagrera (Danny), Van Teryl McNeil Jr. (Michele) and Jan Daigle (Barry); thirteen grandchildren, Jason Brown (Courtney), Ashley deClouet (Andre’), Jordan Smith, Barret Chappelle (Ana), Joseph Gary LeBlanc Jr. (Kristine), Jeff LeBlanc, Katy Durette (Mike), Van Teryl McNeil III “Mac”, Evan Stoelzel (Jen), Andy Stoelzel, Zach McNeil, Isaac McNeil and Anthony LeBlanc; seven great-grandchildren, April, Tucker, Noah, Logan, Ella, Diana and Christian; two brothers, Bobby Hebert and Bern Hebert and her little sister, Dianne Johnson; a host of nieces and nephews and her Cathedral family.
She was preceded in death by her husband Van Teryl McNeil Sr.; her parents Didier and Mona Claire Hebert; and her brothers Charlie, Johnnie and Carlton Hebert.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home - Bertrand on Friday, July 7, 2023 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. A Rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. on Friday evening in the funeral home. Visiting hours will continue Saturday, July 8, 2023 from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Pallbearers and Honorary Pallbearers will be her eleven grandsons.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Hospice of Acadiana, or to the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Special thanks to the staff of Cornerstone at the Ranch, Hospice of Acadiana, and Eastridge Senior Living - Abbeville.
Personal condolences may be sent to the McNeil family at: www.delhommefuneralhome.com
Janice Hebert McNeil and her family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA.