Claire Arceneaux Beslin

Rayne - A Mass of Christian burial was held on Tuesday, April 1, at 1:30 pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rayne to celebrate the life of Claire Marie Arceneaux Beslin, 94, who died peacefully at her home on March 27, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Interment was in the St. Joseph Cemetery #2 in Rayne.
Very Rev. Brent L. Smith, VF, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church, was the celebrant of the Funeral Mass and conducted the funeral services.
Readers were two of her granddaughters, Margaret Beslin Landry and Mary Frances Beslin.
Claire was born in Lafayette on Jan. 21, 1931, to Ulysse and Maxime Hebert Arceneaux. She graduated from Mount Carmel High School and later from Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now ULL) with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education.
Following graduation, she worked as the secretary to the Dean of Education, Maxim Doucet.
While at SLI, Claire was a member of the NSK sorority, and served as a maid in the Camellia Pageant. She also served as a maid in the Court of King Gabriel XI in 1950.
Claire met her future husband and love of her life, Denald “Denny” Beslin, while at SLI. She and Denny married on August 26, 1952, following Denny’s graduation from Loyola Law School.
They began their married life together in Denny’s hometown of Rayne, with Denny establishing a law practice and Claire taking a teaching position at Rayne High School. Claire’s teaching career was short-lived, as she and Denny soon started a family. Their 65-year marriage produced much love, laughter and eight children.
She is survived by her children, Anne B. Credeur, Denise B. Trahan, wife of John W. Trahan, Jeanne B. Walk, wife of Frank “Woody” Walk Jr., Matthew G. Beslin, husband of Christine Higginbotham Beslin, Marie Elise “M’elise” B. Trahan, wife of John D. Trahan, John Jude Beslin, husband of Cynthia Bullock Beslin, and Luke A. Beslin, husband of Dr. Maria Charina “Chary” Tan Beslin; and her daughter-in-law Renee Buller Beslin.
She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, Nicole Credeur, John William “Bill” Trahan Jr. (Lindsay), Dr. Claire T. Ronkartz (Michael), Dr. Daniel Beslin Walk (Liqiao), Jennifer B. Richard, (Dr. Chad), Mark F. (Rick) Beslin II (Mary), Margaret B. Landry (Peyton), Anthony J. Beslin, Travis J. Beslin (Sierra), Adrienne Claire T. Catalano (James), Andre’ P. Trahan, Caroline B. Farrar (Hunter), and Mary Frances Beslin.
She also leaves 19 great grandchildren, Alec Arceneaux, Ainsley Trahan, Anna Trahan, Allie Ronkartz, Catherine Claire Ronkartz, Maeve Walk, Logan Walk, Charlotte Richard, Elizabeth Richard, Amie Beslin, Ty Beslin, Beau-Michael Beslin, Owen Beslin, Dallas Beslin, Addison Beslin, Avery Claire Beslin, Winnie Claire Beslin, Gabriel Farrar, and Luke Thomas Landry.
Claire was preceded in death by her husband, Judge Denald A. “Denny” Beslin; her son Mark F. Beslin, her son-in-law, Stephen Credeur; her parents, Ulysse J. and Maxime Hebert Arceneaux; her in-laws, Walter J. and Fabiola Halphen Beslin; her brother, Ivan Jude Arceneaux; sister-in-law, Anna Joyce Breaux Arceneaux; and her cousin, Antoine Hebert III, who was raised by her parents and was considered her second brother.
Claire was a devout Catholic and a 70-year member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rayne, where she taught CCD classes. She was recently honored as a 70-year member of the Rayne branch of the Catholic Daughters of America.
She was a longtime member of the Rayne Garden Club, and had a special love for growing orchids. She was an avid reader and bridge player, maintaining a Wednesday afternoon game for over 40 years.
Claire and Denny were blessed with many dear friends, with whom they enjoyed traveling, cooking, sporting events and family get-togethers, most especially Charles “Moon” and Lita Chappuis, L.J. and Lou Moody, Hubert and Jeanette Reed and Sidney and Joyce Servat.
Claire was a devoted wife, daughter, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She and Denny were blessed to have lived very near most of their grandchildren. They took great pleasure in attending various school and sports activities, including many school Masses, graduations and award ceremonies. Upon reaching a manageable age, each grandchild was treated to a special road trip with their grandparents, exploring fun and educational destinations throughout the United States.
Claire and Denny were also dedicated football fans, attending countless games played by the Notre Dame Pioneers, the LSU Tigers and the New Orleans Saints.
Claire’s family is deeply appreciative of the care given her by Dr. Mark Dawson and granddaughter Dr. Claire Ronkartz. Claire was also attended by an outstanding group of caregivers during the last year, Tonya, Chrissy, Jill, Frances and Pamela and the staff at Lamm Hospice.
Special thanks go to Jennifer Smith, who cared for Denny until his death, and who has been Claire’s loyal caregiver and friend since 2017.
Pallbearers will be her six grandson, John William “Bill” Beslin, Anthony J. Beslin, Mark Frederick “Rick” Beslin II, Dr. Daniel Beslin Walk, Travis J. Beslin and Andre’ P. Trahan.
Honorary pallbearers will be her three sons, Matthew G. Beslin, John Jude Beslin and Luke A. Beslin.
A Rosary was led by the Catholic Daughters on Monday, March 31, at 6 pm at Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne.
At the family’s requests, visitation was observed in Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne on Monday, March 31, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Tuesday, April 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church or Rayne Catholic Elementary.
Friends may view the obituary and guestbook online at www.gossenfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements were entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home, Inc., of Rayne, 337-334-3141.