Annarie B. Dennis

The family of Annarie B. Dennis, announces her passing on August 28, 2024 surrounded by her loving family.

Born Mary Annarie Blanchard, the youngest of five children, on Veterans Day, in 1931, to French speaking parents, Dora Vallot (Blanchard) and Marcial Blanchard. She began elementary school unable to speak English but soon became bilingual. She graduated from Jennings High School in 1950, being the first class to go 12 grades.

In 1951, she married her high school sweetheart, Melvin Dennis, and together they raised eight children, truck patch gardens and herds of animals to feed their large family. They spent much of the early years traveling and camping with their children. She was blessed to be a homemaker when her children were growing and often took in sewing to help. In her “free” time, she spent many hours canning everything they grew, crocheting, cross-stitching, and quilting. Many of the quilts she made were sent overseas on mission ships to less fortunate countries. When not enjoying her hobbies, she could often be seen in the bleachers of whatever sport her children were playing at the time.

As her children grew, she decided to add business owner to her resume when she bought and ran Dot’s Casual Shop on Main Street in Jennings. When her children were long grown, she felt compelled to dedicate her life to charity. Thus, moving to New York City to work in the day care of Covenant House, a charitable foundation near and dear to her heart and one she had donated to for many years.

She was a loving, talented, giving mother who spent her life dedicated to her children, her family and especially her church. She will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know her.

She is survived by a lengthy legacy including her eight children: Judy Goodreau, Marty Dennis (Debbie), Tommy Dennis, Frank Dennis (Wynn), John Dennis (Sue), Charley Dennis (Jill), Joe Dennis-Dawson (Eddie), Shelli Britt (Charles), 19 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by Melvin, the father of her children, her parents, her siblings Louis Blanchard, Lucille Benoit, Sidney “Doc” Blanchard, George Ray Blanchard, and her beloved daughter-in-law Johnnie Raye Dennis.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday September 5, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, with Father Clyde Thomas officiating. 

A gathering of friends and family will be held on Wednesday September 4, 2024, in the Miguez Funeral Home Chapel beginning at 4:00 p.m. and will continue until 8:00 p.m. A rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m., in the funeral home chapel. Visitation will resume on Thursday at 8:00 a.m. until the time to depart for church at 1:45 p.m. 

She will be laid to rest in Andrus Cove Cemetery under the direction of Miguez Funeral Home.

Carrying her to her final resting place will be her six sons, Marty, Tommy, Frank, John, Charley and Joe. Honorary pallbearer will be her grandson, Kenneth Goodreau.

The family would like to express a special thanks to the ICU nurses, Lindsey, Camri, Kelly and Brittany who so lovingly cared for her in her final hours.