Francena "Boo" Fontenot

Francena “Boo” Fontenot, age 58, passed away on April 22, 2025, in Opelousas, Louisiana. She was born on March 29, 1967, in Lafayette, Louisiana, and the world has never been the same.

Strong spirited, energetic and quick with a joke (or a side-eye), Boo could often be found either at the Brass Rail letting her customers get to know her, or at home with her pets, her tablet, and a good show. Often accused of being clumsy, she played darts and pool with a confident grace - and talked trash while doing it. As a self-proclaimed pack rat with a sentimental streak, every room was filled - either with her plentiful knick-knacks or her tenacious personality. She would help anyone, no questions asked, and she could give it to you straight, no apologies given. Boo was the Swiss Army knife of people: handy, sharp, and occasionally dangerous when misused.

She worked hard for her family and never backed down from a challenge. When she wasn’t being an icon behind the bar, she had roles in construction, computers, retail, and more. She spent much of her time in the service of others and had recently become a proud new member of the Elks Women’s Auxiliary in Opelousas.

Of all her accomplishments, she was most proud of raising her kids.

Mom insisted on manners, independence, responsibility, and literacy. She taught the alphabet with note cards taped down the hallway, turning her home into a classroom long before Pinterest made it cute. Encyclopedias and dictionaries were her parenting tools of choice. She never gave a straight answer—if you didn’t know how to spell a word or needed answers about a topic, she’d point to the bookshelf and say, “Look it up.” She challenged her children to be curious and resourceful, often whether they liked it or not. And that has made all the difference.

Boo ran on her own time clock; She was never on time. Ever. But in the cruelest twist of her wonderfully contrarian spirit, she left us far too soon.

She will be deeply missed by her mother, Sandra Aucoin Heinonen of Opelousas, La.; as well as her husband, Timothy C. Fontenot of Opelousas, La.; her sons, Timothy Wayne Fontenot of Opelousas, La., and Nathan Fontenot and wife, Chelsea, of Carencro, La.; her daughters, Jami Rush and husband, Keith, of Apex, North Carolina; Jessica Patin and partner, Mike, of Lafayette, La.; and Kasey Duplechin and husband, Alex, of Milton, La. Her treasured grandchildren - Allen, Dax, Khloe, Beau Jr., Jocelyn, Eli, Addie - and numerous step-grandchildren were all the light of her life.

She is also survived by her brother, David Aucoin of Washington, La.; her beloved aunts and uncles, Nysie and Wayne Watson of Cedar Key, Florida, and Bill and Louella Hedges of Roswell, New Mexico; along with many extended family members and friends who loved her deeply.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Francena and William Hedges, her father, Jerry Aucoin; her brother, Chuck Aucoin; and her stepfather, Duane Heinonen.

A Celebration of Life with a Time of Sharing for Francena “Boo” Fontenot will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025, in the Skip Montet Memorial Chapel at Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas. A visitation with viewing will take place from 11am – 4pm. At 4:30, Friends and family are invited to gather for sharing personal memories of the light that Boo brought to the world. Raise a glass, tell a story, and know that Boo is somewhere smiling—doing exactly what she wants.

Family and friends are invited to sign and view the online guestbook at www.lafondardoin.com.

Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas, 2845 South Union Street, Opelousas, LA 70570, (337) 942-2638, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.