Kathleen Matt

A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, February 13, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Lawtell for Kathleen Manuel Matt, 87, born September 28, 1935. Rev. Theodore Broussard will conduct the funeral services. Rite of Committal will be in St. Bridget Cemetery.

Born in Ville Platte to Maxell Manuel and Marie Fontenot Manuel, Kathleen was raised on a cotton farm in Point Blue. She married Raymond Matt and moved to Lawtell where she raised her three boys in a community of family and close friends. She worked for some time as a CNA and enjoyed helping others. She loved cooking and spending time with her family and friends. She loved attending events for her grandchildren and great grandchildren, from Little League baseball in the heat of the summer, to dance recitals and Mardi Gras balls. She was active in her church and community. Kathleen enjoyed traveling and was interested in American History. Fondly known by her family as “Maw Kat” and by friends as “Miss Kat”, she treasured her friends, sisters and sisters-in-law, never passing up an opportunity to say hello or to “visit”. She was a member of the Lawtell Homemakers Club and the local Red Hatters Club.

She is survived by the love of her life, her husband, Raymond A. Matt, to whom she was married for nearly 70 years, her sons Miles A. Matt (Glenda), Malcolm Matt (Sherry) and Michael Craig Matt; her grandsons Dr. Christopher Matt (Stacey), Jason Matt, Johnathon Matt (Kelley) and Nicholas Matt; granddaughters Danielle Kazemi (Ran), Rebecca Dickens (Walker), Katelyn Bertrand (Ben), and Catherine Matt; great grandchildren James, William, Jude, Oliver, Edward, Atlas, August, James Dickens, Ashley, Audrey, Elizabeth, Estelle and Kira. Sisters Vercie Fontenot, Raenella Fontenot Arroyave and Janice Brown; brother-in-law Herbert Matt, and sisters-in-law Delora Matt, Lucille Matt and Barbara Matt; as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved grandson, Steven James Matt, her parents, brother, Charles Fontenot, her father and mother-in-law, Eddie and Adonia Matt, and her brothers-in-law Branel “Pike” Matt, Hillard Matt, Joseph Arroyave, Rodney Fontenot and Tillman Brown.

Pallbearers will be Dr. Christopher Matt, Jason Matt, Johnathon Matt, Nicholas Matt, Kerry Matt, Brent Soileau and honorary pallbearer, Steven James Matt (dec.).

Visitation will be on Sunday, February 12, 2023 beginning at 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a rosary at 6:00 p.m. at Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home, 2845 South Union Street in Opelousas, Louisiana. Visitation will continue on Monday, February 13, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. until the time of service.

The family extends a heartfelt appreciation to Audrey Guillory, RN, Tanya Romero, MBA, RN, and the wonderful staff at Senior Village in Opelousas for the loving care rendered to our Maw Kat.