Eva T. Simon

Kaplan—A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 5:30 PM on Monday, March 25, 2024 at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church honoring the life of Eva T. Simon, 75, who died Thursday, March 21, 2024 at Calcutta House in Lafayette, Louisiana. Reverend Mark Miley will officiate the services.

Eva was welcomed into the world by her parents, LJ Molaire Trahan and the former Ina Hebert, at the old Palms Hospital in Abbeville on December 13, 1948. She was raised as an only child in rural area Kaplan among the rice fields that her dad farmed. She attended Maltrait Memorial Catholic School, where from her earliest years she displayed a profound reverence for her faith, which remained a guiding light throughout her life’s journey. She later attended and graduated from Kaplan High School.

As a young adult, she worked as an aid at Abrom Kaplan Hospital. She found such joy in this work, as she loved to help others. She then held various other jobs throughout her life, working at Medical Center Pharmacy for 17 years, Fruit of the Loom, and Simon’s. She later worked as a Rural Carrier Associate at the Post Office for 13 years, retiring at the age of 65.

Eva had a passion for traveling and took many trips over the years, even to see the Pope in Pennsylvania, and always attending Mass wherever she traveled. But above all, her most cherished destination wasn’t too far down the road—Holly Beach. She went from a young age and loved everything about it. She passed that love along to her family. She even traveled there in the wintertime, and commented how she loved the water in the wintertime, because it looked like it was covered in diamonds.

Eva was a proud Cajun woman through and through. Her parents both spoke Cajun French. She was among the generation of speakers that were held back in school if they didn’t learn to speak English, and even though she learned to speak English she held onto her French-speaking abilities throughout her life. One of her favorite travel memories was going to Nova Scotia, where she was so proud to discover that everyone there could understand her dialect of French.

She loved meeting new people everywhere she went, and she enjoyed truly getting to know a person. Whether she was coming home from a trip and making friends with the people who sat next to her in the airport, or having a conversation at a grocery store, once you were a friend of Eva’s you were a friend for life. She maintained many relationships she had with those she met in passing for years and loved to keep in touch with them all.

Throughout her life her faith in God remained strong and she was always guided by Our Lord, Jesus, His angels, and the saints. She knew that they protected and watched over her always. A cornerstone of Holy Rosary Church Parish, Eva was a proud and active member of the Ladies Altar Society and Catholic Daughters, where she selflessly served her community and fellow parishioners. No matter what she was helping with, she approached every task with boundless love and devotion.

Beyond her commitments to the Church, Eva was a loving spouse, parent, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Her warmth, compassion, homemade baked goods, and gentle spirit touched the lives of many. She defined humility. Up to her dying breath, Eva truly had no idea of the positive impact she had on people.

She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Gene Simon; two sons, Blaine Romero of Kaplan, and Casey Simon (Lauren) of Midland, Texas; two daughters, Stephanie Menard (Travis) of Youngsville, and Jamie Romero of Youngsville; three step-daughters, Kim Stelly (Nelson) of Kaplan, Hannah Simon of Kaplan, and Lindsey Simon of Kaplan; seven grandchildren, Kelsi G. Toups (Kasey) of Fairbanks, Alaska, Tallon Menard (Cameron) of Youngsville, Annalee Romero of Broussard, Alexander Romero of Broussard, Mason Simon of Midland, Texas, Hank Simon of Midland, Texas, and Benjamin Harner of Youngsville; and one great-grandson, Kowen Toups of Fairbanks, Alaska.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Norris Lee Romero; parents, LJ Trahan and the former Ina Hebert; four infant siblings, Mary, Joseph, Milton, and Annie Lou Trahan.

Her family would like to extend profound thanks to the staff on the 9th and 10th floor at Lafayette General (especially Mrs. Gwen), and to the Calcutta House for their heartfelt care.

Visitation will be observed at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church, 901 N. Frederick Avenue, from 1:00 PM until the mass begins at 5:30 PM, with a rosary being prayed at 4:00 PM.