Obituary of Jeanne Lambert Brault

Jeanne L. Brault, 94, died at Foxdale Village in State College on June 13, 2024.

She was born October 2, 1929, in Cambridge, Mass., the daughter of the late Arthur L. and Beatrice M. (Douville) Pepin. She married Gerard J. Brault in Assumption Catholic Church, Chicopee, Mass., January 23, 1954. Having celebrated 66 happy years together, he predeceased her on Feb. 5, 2020.

Jeanne attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Fitchburg, Mass., and Assumption Catholic School in Chicopee, Mass., in 1943; she was salutatorian of her graduating class at Chicopee's Holy Name High School in 1947. She earned a BS in biology with a minor in education, graduating cum laude from Our Lady of the Elms College, also in Chicopee, in 1951. She spent two years as a second-grade teacher in the Chicopee Public Schools System.

She and her husband lived in Philadelphia from 1954-56. They then moved to Brunswick, Maine, until they returned to Philadelphia in 1961, settling in State College in 1965.

A generous and loving homemaker, she dedicated many years of her married life to caring for her family before serving as a Title 1 aid in the State College Area Schools from 1973 to 1984.

An devout and active member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Parish in State College, she attended Mass daily, often leading the rosary — an effort she organized in 1984 — before morning Mass. While her children were in the parish elementary school, she volunteered in the cafeteria and often oversaw a booth at the annual fundraising bazaar. At various times she served as an elected member of the parish council, a Eucharistic minister, a religious educator, a homebound coordinator, and a volunteer at the St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store. She also spent many years coordinating meals and hospitality for funerals of parishioners from her neighborhood. In 1988 she designed a quilt in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the parish, supervising a team of 32 women who made the quilt that still hangs in the entry of the church. In 1991, she became a Benedictine Oblate affiliated with St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pa.

Jeanne and her husband traveled extensively throughout the United States and western Europe, especially in France where they resided with their children for a full academic year on two separate occasions. Fluent in French, she spent 10 days a year for 12 years as a volunteer at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Lourdes, France, beginning in 1991. She received a medal of appreciation from the shrine for her dedication after 10 years of service.

In 2003 she received the Prince Gallitzin Cross Award from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, in recognition of her good works and witness in the name of Christ, including her work in Lourdes.

Jeanne was a wonderful cook and enjoyed entertaining family, friends and colleagues. She and her husband maintained close ties with friends from around the world, often hosting them for football weekends at Penn State. She was active in the Centre Pieces Quilt Guild, serving a one-year term as president. She supervised the making of a quilt auctioned off every year for the benefit of the local chapter of Citizens Concerned for Human Life. She made wedding quilts and baby quilts for each of her children and grandchildren.

She and her husband wintered many years in a retirement community in Green Valley, Az., before moving to Foxdale Village, State College, in 2012.

Jeanne is survived by her son, Francis G. Brault (Suzanne) of Eldersburg, Md.; two daughters, Anne-Marie Welsh (Timothy) of Erie, Pa.; and Suzanne E. Brokloff (Ned) of State College, Pa.; her eight grandchildren: Kara W., Rena Brault, Jessie Brault; Emily (Evan) Holwick; Alice Welsh, Bryan (Cassandra) Welsh, Carly (Leland) Hollensbe, and Zoe Dannenmueller (fiancé Darren Smith); and great grandsons Hudson Holwick and Colin Hollensbe. She will be remembered by her children and grandchildren for her devotion to them, to family life and for her loving generosity and support.

Her beloved brother Edward predeceased her. She also is survived by her sister-in-law, Catherine Pepin, of Bloomfield, CT, four nieces and a nephew.

The family would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to all the nurses and staff at the Foxdale Memory Care Unit. Their continuous kindness, compassion, and dedicated work while she was in their care is truly appreciated.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Our Lady of Victory Church in State College on Monday, June 17th at 10:00am, with visitation at 9:15am.   Father George Jakopac will be officiating.

Private inurnment and graveside services will follow at Centre County Memorial Park, 1032 Benner Pike.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Victory Church, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College, Pa., 16801.

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home. Online condolences may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.