Julie Dantagnan Stearns

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Julie Dantagnan Stearns passed away peacefully at 5:30 a.m. Saturday morning July 13, 2019, after an extended battle with Cancer. The funeral service will be held at The Church of the Epiphany, New Iberia at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 20, 2019.

Interment will follow in The Church of the Epiphany Garden.

Visitation will be Friday, July 19, 2019, from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Pellerin Funeral Home of New Iberia and from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.

Julie was a longtime resident of New Iberia, her adopted home. She was born in New Orleans, on June 14 1937. In 1948, she moved with her family to Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi where she graduated from Saint Joseph Academy. She attended Perkinston Jr. College in Wiggins, Mississippi. In 1955, she married MD “Dickie” Shannon and moved to Morgan City, where her seven children were born. This marriage ended in divorce and in 1973 she and her children moved to Houston, Texas where she met her future husband Howard “Mac” Stearns. Julie inherited her mother’s love of travel and before she was married she was promised that she would indeed enjoy extensive travel. She was later to remark that she was not told that she would have to pack up the household and the children and take them with her. She lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ringwood, New Jersey, Dallas, Texas and Miami, Florida. While living in New Jersey she attended classes at Rutgers University and became a certified and licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and worked for the nationally known rehab hospital, Fair Oaks. Upon retirement she and Mac moved to New Iberia and were quickly embraced by their adopted home. 

Julie was active in the community in many ways. She was a member of The Church of the Epiphany and served as a member of the Vestry. At various times she was the Director of the “Brown Bag” program and member of the board of directors of Solomon House. Julie also served on the board of New Iberia’s Homeless Shelter. At IPAL (Iberia Performing Arts League) she was known as an honest critic, sometimes painfully so and as a superb prop mistress. No matter where she was or what she was doing, Julie was first and foremost a loving wife and mother. Julie and Mac were happily married and deeply in love for 43 years. Julie loved and was fiercely proud of each and every one of her seven children as well as her two stepchildren. This same love and pride extended to her 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. At home she was an accomplished seamstress and she had few peers in the kitchen. One of Julie’s greatest qualities was her unflinching honesty and she expected it in return. Everyone within Julie’s orbit knew and understood this. The great part of this was that her criticism never in any way changed her love and respect for you. Julie loved deeply and there was always more than enough to go around. 

Julie is survived by her husband, Howard M. Stearns of New Iberia; sister Edith D. Piazza of Brooksville, Florida; son Maurice D. “Rusdy” Shannon IV and wife, Gwen, of Possums Corner, Mississippi; son Patrick B. Shannon and wife, Connie, of Youngsville; daughter Bridget S. Hancock and husband, Walt, of Georgetown, Texas; daughter Colleen L. Shannon of New Orleans; daughter Laurie A. Shannon of Houma; son Neal M. Shannon of Midland Texas; son Casey T. Shannon and wife, Selena, of Berwick; stepson Kenneth R. Stearns and wife, Karen, of Houston, Texas; and stepdaughter Carolyn S. Shean and husband, Bill, of Georgetown, Texas. 

Julie is also survived by 17 grandchildren: Erin, Maurice D. 5th and Thomas Shannon, Jessica, Allison and Matthew Hancock, Kyle Holms, Carli, Marcus and Bryanna Shannon, Brady Shannon, Nicholas, Katrina, Katherine and Kendal Stearns, Kasaundra S. White and Tyler Shean. Julie is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren and numerous, loving nieces, nephews and cousins. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, A.G. and Edith D. Dantagnan; brother A.G. Dantagnan Jr.; and sister Margaret D. Hayden.

Memorial donations can be made to Solomon House in New Iberia. 

To view online obituary and sign guest book, please go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com.

Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace, New Iberia, LA 70560, 365-3331, is in charge of arrangements.