Helen Eugenie Reulet Gravois, a noted local historian and linguist, died of natural causes on May 29, 2009, at the age of 93. She was a native and life-long resident of Vacherie.

She was married for 61 years to the late Jean Paul Gravois who died in 2001. She was the beloved mother of Lael Gravois Zeringue and husband Roy Zeringue and of Jude Gravois and wife Sonia Steib Gravois of Vacherie; of Mary Gravois Bode and husband Albert Bode and of Margaret Gravois Perret of Metairie; and of Colin Gravois and wife Hamida S. Gravois of Antony, France, near Paris. She was preceded in death by two infant children, Jean Paul Gravois Jr. and Judith Ann Gravois.

She was the grandmother of Veronica Zeringue Granier, Patricia Zeringue Becnel, Linda Zeringue Hubbell, Joanna Zeringue Falgoust and Helen Zeringue Martinez of Vacherie, Hana Gravois of Antony, France, Kenza Gravois of Mexico City, Alison Bode Bourgeois of Richardson, Texas, David Bode of Metairie, Cindy Perret of Clinton, Jonathan Perret of Edgard, Joshua Gravois of Thibodaux, and Abigail Gravois of New Orleans. She was also survived by 10 great-grandchildren: Bonnie Granier Matassa, Aimee, Kelly and Clay Granier, Crystal Becnel Crosby, Amanda Delatte, Roy and Christine Falgoust, Alicia Perret, Reese Martinez and Ryan John “Jack” Bourgeois; and one great-great grandchild: James “Jay” Matassa Jr.

She was the daughter of the late J. Victor Reulet and Helen Poirier Reulet. She was survived by brothers Woodrow Reulet of Bush, John Reulet of Baton Rouge and Lewis Reulet of Gonzales, and sisters Florence Reulet Gravois and Marjorie Reulet Granier of Vacherie, Bernice Reulet Goley of Pensacola and Janice Reulet Daigle of Reserve. She was preceded in death by brothers, Victor, Raymond and Earl Reulet and sisters, Rosemary Reulet Steib and Mae Reulet Gravois.

She was a retired school librarian. She enjoyed reading, writing and traveling. As a result of her services to and involvement in the community, she was the recipient of the 1998 “Good Citizen of the Year” award presented by The Enterprise.

Visitation will be at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Vacherie, on Saturday, June 6, 2009, from 7:30 a.m. until 11 a.m., followed by a mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. Interment will be at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery.

Ourso Funeral Home of Donaldsonville is in charge of arrangements.