Annette Elizabeth Holbrook

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Annette Elizabeth Holbrook, 69, passed away at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, October 28, 2023, after fighting an illness for several months. Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, November 10, 2023, in St. John the Evangelist Church, Jeanerette.

While Ann had much more than her fair share of challenges in her life, I’d like to focus on the good, or should I say, the great, incredible part of Ann Holbrook.

Ann was born in New Iberia and moved to Jeanerette with her family when she was four years old. She had a wonderful life there with a caring, talented father Bob D. Holbrook and loving, dear mother Grace Holbrook. Ann was a middle child between older sister Peggy and younger brother Bobby.

Early on it became apparent that not only did Ann have a lot of energy, Ann also showed signs of great intelligence, musical ability and a passion and talent for art. On top of that she was outstandingly kind and considerate.

From day one of kindergarten through high school it seemed Ann could only make A’s, going on to represent her school and winning many state spelling bees. She played in the school band, first-chair clarinet and went on to honor band and awards. She loved representing the school as a skilled majorette during parades and football games and graduating from Jeanerette Sr. High in 1972 as Valedictorian of her class.

Ann took to water like a fish and her graceful swimming and diving ability helped make her a registered lifeguard, overseeing the Jeanerette City Park’s pool most weekends. She excelled in art classes and loved to draw, paint and sew works of art.

Ann’s near-flawless efforts in high school led to offers of several four-year, full-ride music and academic university scholarships. She chose USL and received a double degree in City Planning and English. Later she took drafting classes and became a certified draftsperson as well. Years later Ann dusted off her clarinet and played with “The Iberians”, a community big band based in New Iberia.

Through the years her talents, skill and intellect were dampened by illness and while it seemed to hold her back, Ann’s kindness prevailed, acting as our mother’s caregiver for years. She loved spending time with her daughter Michelle and the grandchildren she adored. It must also be said that she had a deep bond with her dog Avery.

A longtime resident of Jeanerette, Ann is survived by her daughter Michelle Ghent Seaton and husband Trey Seaton; her grandchildren Bryn Ghent-Lewis, Dorothy Seaton and Estelle Seaton; her sister Peggy Faucheaux; brother Bob Holbrook and wife Kim Holbrook; as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and friends.

On behalf of Michelle and our entire family, we would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses and CNAs, especially Dr. George Cousin, for all the extraordinary care and help they provided during Ann’s illness.

Ann, while we will miss you here on earth, we are sure that your God-given talents will be unencumbered for the benefit of everyone, making Heaven an even better place.

We love and miss you.