Diane Brunet

Diane Fontenot Brunet was born in Basile, Louisiana on July 5, 1944, to her parents, Martha and Tenas Fontenot. After her mother’s passing, Diane moved to Eunice, Louisiana where she lived with her brother, Courville “Frenchie” Fontenot, his wife Amelia and their three children.

Diane married the love of her life, Glenn Brunet, and together they made their home in Lafayette. A graduate of Eunice High School and the University of Southwestern Louisiana, Diane served as an educator in the Lafayette Parish School system and coached girls’ sports for over two decades. Her impact on students was far and wide, and she often marveled when her former students still recognized her in town decades later. Following her retirement from teaching, Diane worked in the fitness center affiliated with Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, where she made many life-long friends.

An adventurer, Diane or “Dee” as many called her, traveled many places and among those trips, she most often talked about her journeys to Russia, Greece and the Holy Land. A prolific gardener, Diane was constantly adding to her beautiful backyard garden, and she spent many mornings in quiet prayer while admiring whatever flowers were in bloom that day.

To say that Diane loved sports, especially UL sports, is an understatement. She was a fixture at UL football games, but she was particularly devoted to the UL softball team, serving as a member of the Welcome Committee and supporting the team both on the road and at home.

Diane was a woman of great faith, and was a long-time parishioner of St. Jules Catholic Church in Lafayette where she served as a member of the St. Jules “Angels of Service” organization. She put her faith into practice by visiting the sick and serving as a Eucharistic minister. Also, near to her heart was her Theresian community, Hopeful Hearts of Lafayette. As a Theresian, she sought to serve God in her own “little way” as modeled by St. Therese of Lisieux, and she provided and gave great support to her Theresian sisters.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Glenn, her brother “Frenchie” and sister in law Amelia Fontenot, her sister in law Sherry Hoffman, and her great nephew Terrel Patrick Fontenot, Jr.

She is survived by a large family including her sister in law Deanie McWhorter, her nephews, who she regarded as her brothers : Terry, Gerald “Soybean”, and Farrel (and his wife Angela) Fontenot, nieces Lisi Coleman, Maddie Miller, Margaret DeStout, nephews Dennis McWhorter and Robert Hoffman. Too numerous to name, Diane has many great nieces and nephews, many more great great nieces and nephews, and Diane had recently met her first great, great, great niece just weeks ago.

In addition to this family, Diane had an enormous circle of friends, who she regarded as family. These ladies enjoyed celebrating birthdays and other special events together, as well as meeting for a casual lunch or visit. They too will miss her dearly.

For all who have had the joy of knowing Diane, it was obvious that Diane was an extraordinary person and a true child of God. She had a quiet presence and yet also exhibited extraordinary strength. She will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 11:00 AM at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Eunice. The service will be officiated by Father John Dugas. Entombment will follow at St. Paul Mausoleum.

Visitation will be held on Monday at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church beginning at 10:00 AM and continuing until the time of mass at 11:00 AM.