LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / July 11, 2000

LAPLACE – Gloria Hotard sat on a stone bench in front of a large statue of the Virgin Mary. She was surrounded by members of her family.”I think it is beautiful,” said Hotard. “We have a place to come to now andremember her.”Hotard was talking about the new garden and grotto built in memory the 22 lives lost in the May 9, 1999 Mother’s Day bus crash.

One of the victims was Bellie Elfer, her mother.

Hotard’s sister, Judy LaFountain, said, “It is beautiful, and it helps, but there is no real closure right now.”The sisters were all part of a dedication ceremony Monday evening at Place Dubourg in LaPlace where the garden in located. Eight of the victimsin the crash were residents of the retirement center.

The garden was the idea of local horticulturist, Jamie LaBranche. One ofhis relatives survived the accident, and LaBranche wanted to do something to keep the memory of the other victims alive.

He drew up plans for the garden, a cross-shaped area with statues of angels on three points and the Virgin Mary at the top of the cross. In themiddle is a bubbling fountain with a brass plaque with the victims’ names.

On the perimeter of the cross are plants and flowers and benches.

LaBranche said, “I wanted this place to be a place of meditation and prayer.”With the help of private donations and corporate sponsors such as the Hibernia National Bank and River Parishes Hospital, LaBranche, his company, Riverlands Horticultural Services, and Brown Concrete Services were able to build the garden in two months.

Chris Palmisano, administrator at Place DuBourg, said of LaBranche, “He should be very proud of what he has done.”LaBranche was humble. “I just want people will get a little peace out ofthis,” he said.

The dedication ceremony drew a large crowd made up of victims’ families, friends, community leaders and clergy.

The accident, one of the worst in the state’s history, occurred in New Orleans as the bus was heading to a Gulf Coast casino.

Seated under a large tent, the crowd heard the blessings of the Rev.

Monsignor Robert Vincent of St. Joan of Arc Church, the Rev. Neil Bernardof New Wine Christian Fellowship and the Rev. Joseph C. Rodney of OurLady of Grace Catholic Church.

In his speech, Bernard told the audience, “Let this be a place of comfort for those in need.”After the dedication people roamed the garden, reading the plaques, talking and just sitting quietly on the garden’s benches.

Sandra Remondet, daughter of Mildred Remondet who died in the crash, was overcome with emotion during the ceremony.

“It is just beautiful,” Remondet said of the garden. “I just hope that thisbrings closure to others.”

Return To News Stories