Jennifer Frederick Bienvenu

Visitation will begin at noon on Friday, February 14, 2014, until 9:00 p.m. with the recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue Saturday morning, February 15, 2014, at 8:00 a.m., until the time of services.

A native of Iberia Parish and a resident of Loreauville, Jennifer passed away on Monday, February 10, 2014, at home surrounded by loved ones, after a long battle with breast cancer.

She is survived by her husband of 30 years, Edward Segura Bienvenu, one son, Nicholas Jacob Bienvenu, and one daughter, Danielle Alix Bienvenu. They have been residents of Faubourg, a small settlement near Loreauville, most of their married life.

Jennifer is also survived by her parents, Leo Joseph Frederick, Sr. and Shirley Verret Frederick of Loreauville; one sister, Deborah Marie Ruiz and her husband Brady Joseph Ruiz of Loreauville and her brothers, Barry Grant Frederick and his wife Suzette Adelle Labry Frederick. Peter James Frederick and his wife Vanessa Cecile Prados Frederick, Michael Jude Frederick and his wife Darla Jean Boudreaux Frederick and Leo Joseph Frederick, III and his wife Danelle Conner Frederick and her sister-in-law, Carla Ann Bonin Frederick all of Loreauville.

She is preceded in death by her brother, Bret Christopher Frederick; her paternal grandparents, Elus and Emily Cormier Frederick; her maternal grandparents, Willie Martin and Lucy Rodriguez Verret and her foster grandparents, Lezin Joseph and Marie Legnie Courville Rodriguez.

Jennifer was a 1976 graduate of Loreauville High School. She served at Drum Major for the LHS Marching Band and played Bass Clarinet and Saxophone in the concert, marching and Jazz bands. She loved music and later became a member of the Iberia Community Concert Band in the early years of its inception, playing Bass Clarinet.

She made many friends in the St. Martinville, area, having worked at Port Specialties as the Office Manager for 22 years. For several years, she simultaneously owned and operated Jennys Chem Dry Carpet and Upholstery cleaning service. During this period, she served as a member and Board Member of the Iberia Builders Association. Later, she was employed by Iberia Parish Government as the secretary for Acadiana Regional Airport (ARA). She was promoted to Assistant Airport Director in 2012, a position she held until her death. She was a diligent supporter of the airport, serving two Directors. She believed in its business and infrastructure potential for Iberia Parish and promoted it tirelessly, through many social, cultural, and business/industrial activities, in order to showcase the facility and highlight its potential. She had a flair for making these activities fun and unique events for all who attended. She also supported two local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapters, eventually becoming a founding member of Acadiana Chapter #1490 in order to further promote air traffic counts and activity at ARA. In order to extend her promotional efforts, she was selected for and graduated from the 2011 Leadership Iberia Class #13, sponsored by the Iberia Chamber of Commerce. She was also a member of the Louisiana Airport Managers Association (LAMA) and served as a close friend and ally of the Iberia Industrial Development Foundation (IDF) for ARA. In general, she was an un-official ambassador of Acadiana Regional Airport for the Iberia Parish Government.

Beyond her career and work life, Jenny did many things and helped many people. She believed in hard work, honesty and fairness. She was willing to help people find work opportunities if they believed and practiced these same principles. She was a loyal and trusted friend. She sponsored children and families in need, so they would not fall through the cracks of society. But, she also demanded accountability for that help and followed their progress.

Considering her personal cancer experience and that of her son, she participated with her family as supporters of the local George Gros/ Be the Match bone marrow donor registry campaign. To that end, she chose a treatment regimen of Experimental Clinical Trial of Targeted Therapy, in an effort to help others by what may be learned from her care.

She was the cornerstone of the Frederick family and the absolute rock foundation of her own. She was known lovingly as the favorite Aunt to her many nieces and nephews on both sides of her family. She loved having fun with the young children, especially taking them to the beach in Florida and the Frederick family camp at Lake Fausse Point for swimming, boating, fishing, skiing, cooking out and riding ATVs. She loved spending time with her family and hosted the Christmas Eve gatherings at her home. She loved a campfire, moonrises and sunsets, her large garden, canning produce from her garden, and most of all, cutting her grass.

A versatile woman, she could converse with the Governor, US Legislators, the FAA and local politicians about airport business, but was equally adept at operating the largest tractor in a cane row, dancing in a ball gown, performing a traditional Boucherie , building a camp, or cleaning the catfish she caught.

All who knew her were lucky to call her friend, co-worker, employee, aunt, sister, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, daughter, mother, or wife. She was a remarkable woman and the toughest person I have ever known. She will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege to know her. We are all humbled by the strength and resolve she demonstrated in this life challenge.

I am proud to call her my wife.

Our family would like to thank her team of Doctors, nurses and hospital staff and the Heart of Hospice team who took wonderful care of her till the end and also her close circle of friends who provided her with much care and comfort. Their skill and compassion was a great comfort to our family.

Pall bearers will be Barry Grant Frederick, Michael Jude Frederick, Dr. Harold Hal George Bienvenu, III, Peter James Frederick, Leo Joseph Frederick, III and Brady Joseph Ruiz.

Honorary pallbearers will be John Byron Bienvenu, Benjamin Christopher Bienvenu and Lawrence Thompson, Jr.

David Funeral Home in Loreauville, 118 Main St. (337) 229-8338 is in charge of arrangements.