Helen Marie Rougeau was born on December 2, 1934 to the union of Santonge and Bell Rougeau in Mamou, Louisiana. Known by her childhood nickname "Yu Yutt" she was a loving daughter and sister who began her earthly sojourn with a spirit of kindness and generosity that permeated her being. Santonge and Bell moved the family to Lake Charles where Helen was confirmed Catholic at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church.

On October 14, 1951, Helen married Clarence Fontenot and through this union birthed seven children, Gilliam, Connie, Clarence Jr., Terry, Shelia, Bell, and Mitchell. The loving and hardworking couple dedicated themselves to their family, making sacrifices to provide their children with opportunities they were denied.

Gifted with an extraordinary work ethic and determination, Helen worked various jobs until she was hired by Calcasieu Parish School Board as a cafeteria worker at Marion High School. Within a couple of years, her business acumen and leadership skills quickly elevated her to Cafeteria Manager. Shortly thereafter, she enrolled in a Nutritionist Program at LSU in Baton Rouge and attended summer sessions where she obtained certification as a Nutritionist. Helen and Clarence were active Boosters Club members at Marion, and Mrs. Fontenot's holiday meals were considered the best in the parish. It was common for workers from around the school district to make their way to Marion for the Thanksgiving and Christmas lunches.

A loving and gracious spirit with extraordinary culinary skills, Helen knew no strangers. Throughout the years, she welcomed hundreds of people into her home. And if you were fortunate enough to have a meal from her kitchen you would eagerly ask for seconds, which she would quickly serve up with a smile and kind word. With a discerning palate, Helen poured love into every meal for family and friends. Whether she was raising money for the Booster Club, catering events for school, various public and private functions, or fixing daily meals for her family, the delicious meals became legendary. Helen's love of people and kindness achieved her "Master Chef" status and reputation without the formal credentials.

A beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Helen would touch thousands of lives as her journey unfolded. However, on July 27, 1998, Clarence would receive a celestial call home and left her widowed after almost 47 years of marriage. Always the caregiver, she continued a life of "living for the family" loving without pretense or condition. Several years later she would find love again when meeting Joseph Walter "Duke" Duplechain. The couple would bask in an almost storybook love until the Lord called Duke home on January 26, 2006. Helen would continue her journey of manifesting love over the next sixteen years without her beloved Duke, who treated her like a queen.

With strength, grace and an abundance of love, Helen served her family selflessly. Whether cooking mouth-savory dishes, providing wise counsel during empathetic talks, helping to ease the financial stress of others, or ceaseless prayers she continued to be the balm for her family's visible and invisible wounds. Helen's unconditional love for family meant she would always be there when needed. Her most joyous times were family gatherings and long talks into the wee hours of the morning after watching movies, one of her favorite pastimes.

Helen's amazing ability to remain contemporary and politically astute were driving forces for many of her conversations. Whether discussing some political figure, celebrity, business tycoon, family issues, or making a complex cultural critique, she was never at a loss for words. Helen would flow effortlessly through each issue with a vibration of compassion for humanity that is rarely found. She greeted anyone she encountered with a genuine and gracious warmth, humbly exemplifying the heart of a saint, giving credence to the old adage, "My mother is a saint."

Helen is preceded in death by her parents Bell and Santonge Rougeau, siblings Oris Rougeau, Priscilla Guillory, Rogers Rougeau, John Rougeau, and Ella Dee Poullard; husbands Clarence Fontenot and Joseph Walter "Duke" Duplechain; children Shelia Fontenot, and Gilliam Fontenot. She is survived by her brother Joseph Rougeau of Tacoma, Washington, her daughters Connie and Bell Fontenot of Lake Charles, sons Clarence, Jr. (Dinah) of Denver, Colorado, Terry (Tammy) of Columbia City, Indiana, and Mitchell of Richmond, Texas. She is loved and will be missed by her grandchildren, Joshua, Weylon, Jessie, Johnathan, Micah, Corey, Jessica, Clarence "Trey" Fontenot, III, Christal, Joseph, Heather, Kiersta, Savanah, Brooke, Maya, Cyrus and dozens of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.

Helen Fontenot Duplechain's Going Home ceremony will be held at King's Funeral Home, 1611 Gerstner Memorial Dr., Lake Charles, LA on December 3, 2022. The viewing begins at 9:00 am – 11:00 am, followed by a Celebration of Life in the chapel.

For words of comfort, please visit www.kingsfuneralhomela.com