Sandra Lee Hedges Aucoin Heinonen

Sandra Lee Hedges Aucoin Heinonen, affectionately known to many as Ms. Sandy, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2025, at Calcutta House in Lafayette, Louisiana, with family by her side. She was 74 - a life well-lived, full of grit, laughter, and love.

A Celebration of Life for Sandy Heinonen will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 2:30 pm at Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home in Opelousas. Burial will follow at Bellevue Memorial Park in Opelousas, LA. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am until time of service.

Born on December 26, 1950, in North Bend, Oregon, Sandy made her way to Louisiana in 1967, where she planted her roots and built a life that touched more people than she ever could have imagined.

Sandy devoted her entire life to serving others, working in the hospitality industry with grit, humor, and heart. Before becoming a business owner, and even after, she often worked two or three jobs at a time: barmaid, truck stop waitress, seamstress, and perpetual entrepreneur. In 1990, she became the proud owner and operator of The Brass Rail in Historic Downtown Opelousas, where for 35 years she served cold beer, a friendly smile, and a listening ear to friends, neighbors, and travelers alike. She was as much a fixture of downtown Opelousas as the bar itself.

Sandy was tough and shrewd when the moment called for it, but she was just as quick to be generous, supportive, and kind. She built relationships everywhere she went, her family and circles of connection growing like ripples from a pebble hitting the water. She often said that strangers were simply friends she hadn’t met yet. Her home was always open, and holidays were never just for family - there were always new faces at her Thanksgiving and Christmas tables. And true to her generous heart, she always cooked a second meal to bring to the bar for her customers, so no one felt left out.

She will be remembered for her mischievous humor, her good-natured teasing, and her ability to make everyone feel like they belonged. She joked that she “took in all the strays,” and she meant it, whether those strays had two legs or four.

Sandy also had a deeply sentimental side. She saved every birthday card, Mother’s Day card, anniversary card, and any other card ever given to her - each one a small treasure representing the people and moments she cherished most. This quiet act of keeping every card reflected the depth of her love for those around her. She lived life with an open heart and no secrets, sharing her story freely and accepting others as they were - flaws, weaknesses, and all.

Her legacy is one of hard work, generosity, laughter, and love - a life lived fully, with beer in hand, a wink in her eye, and room at the table for one more. Raise an Old Milwaukee in her honor and remember her with a smile.

She is survived by her stepson, David Aucoin; her son-in-law, Timothy C. Fontenot; her brother, William “Bill” Hedges III, and wife, Luella; her sister, Nysie Watson, and husband, Wayne; her grandchildren, Nathan Fontenot (Chelsea), Jami Rush (Keith), Kasey Duplechain (Alex), Jessica Patin (Mike), and Timothy W. Fontenot; and her great-grandchildren, Allen, Dax, Beau Jr., Khloe, Jocelyn, Eli, and Adeline.

Sandy was preceded in death by her husband, Duane Heinonen; her parents, William Logan Hedges, Jr. and Francena Mae LeMons Hedges; her daughter, Francena Fontenot; and her stepson, Chuck Aucoin.

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 arrangements.