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Jean Catherine Hunter, beloved wife and mother, passed away on December 9, 2025 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was born on January 1, 1939 in New Orleans to Elphege and Annie Prejean. Jean was a loving wife to Bernhardt Joseph Hunter, Sr. (Bernie) for an amazing 66 years. Together they built a life of fun, laughter and adventure and always loved each other and their children dearly. Their sons Bernhardt J. Hunter, Jr. (Chip) and his wife Connie, Christopher Paul Hunter and his wife Katie, Kevin Michael Hunter and his wife Donna all treasure the legacy of love imparted to them by Jean and Bernie. The combined 182 years of marriage between the four couples is a source of pride and a tribute to that legacy.
Jean was called Mimi and adored by her grandchildren Jilliann Dreher and her husband Drew, Megan Boucvalt and her husband Gabe, Anthony Hunter and his wife Blake, Ryan Hunter and his wife Hailey, and Catherine Elise Hunter.
She leaves behind her precious great-grandchildren Murphy, Annie, Townsend and Hunter Dreher, Emma Harper and Alden Boucvalt, Jade and Cassie Hunter and Finley and Harrison Hunter.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Roy Prejean (Tuttie), Carroll Prejean (June), Millie Leatham (Harry), niece Pat Leatham, nephew Daniel Prejean and great-nephew Stephen Vix.
To treasure her memory also are her 10 nieces and nephews and their children, whom she loved dearly.
Jean was blessed with a large group of friends, both in New Orleans and Morgan City, her home since 1975. She filled her days with extensive travel, bridge, and her skill at the piano, delighting her friends and family by playing so beautifully, a memory that will be cherished by all. Jean was honored by the Krewe of Galatea in Morgan City, being named their Queen XXXIX in 2008.
Jean will always be remembered with love and deeply missed by all who knew her.
Visitation will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Morgan City from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. on December 22nd followed by services and interment in Morgan City.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to St. Joseph Hospice Carpenter House in Baton Rouge, who cared so lovingly for Mimi and her family in her final days.

Feeding large packs of stray animals may soon be against the law in St. Mary Parish.
On Dec. 10, the Parish Council asked its legal counsel to draft an ordinance similar to ones that exist in Berwick and Morgan City, concerning the feeding of stray cats and possibly animals in general, following a motion by Councilman Dean Adams of Morgan City.
Adams motioned for the suggestion after Jane Aucoin, an Amelia resident, called on the council to start enforcing laws to control what she describes as “an overpopulation of stray cats,” in Amelia.
“I have a pet that has been affected by this problem, and has been suffering from hookworms for the past four months. I think it’s time you start enforcing laws that are written.”
Adams said she spoke with someone at the parish animal control unit, but was told they only pick up on certain days.
Councilman At Large Gwen Hidalgo said she has seen video of large groups of cats, 12 to 15, feeding in a vacant parking lot at the Family Dollar Store in Amelia.
“We just don’t have the funding we need to regularly monitor this problem. Something needs to be done,” she said.
The town of Berwick and the city of Morgan City passed ordinances targeting stray and feral cats before the end of last year.
Berwick passed its ordinance in August 2024, which prohibits feeding stray cats and dogs on public property or at a business.
It does allow feeding on private residential property if the owner is the one doing the feeding.
There is a $50 fine for a first offense.
In September, the city of Morgan City passed three ordinances targeting stray animals, primarily focusing on prohibiting the feeding of strays (dogs and cats) on public and private property, imposing escalating fines ($50, $100, $200) for violations, and creating an exception for city-approved Trap-Neuter-Release programs, all in response to public complaints about property damage and feces from roaming animals.
The key details to the Morgan City ordinances are: It’s now illegal to feed stray or feral cats and dogs. The ban applies to both public land and private residential property.
Fines start at $50 for a first offense, rising to $100 for a second, and $200 for a third. However, the city allows partners working on a trap, neuter, and release programs to feed strays as part of their efforts.
An AI overview from Trupanion and Heartgard states that dogs can get hookworms from cats, as these parasites easily spread between pets and even to humans through contaminated soil, feces or ingesting larvae.
Transmission occurs when a dog licks or eats something contaminated from the environment or even directly from the infected cat feces, leading to serious anemia if untreated.
The article states that hookworm eggs in feces can survive in soil, which dogs can ingest or have larvae penetrate their skin.
A dog can ingest larvae or eggs by licking a cat that has them on its fur or by eating infected cat feces.
Hookworm larvae can also burrow directly into a dog’s (or human’s) skin, often through paws or their belly.

Submitted photos
Scouts and Scouting supporters gathered Dec. 11 for the annual steak dinner fundraiser at the St. Mary Senior Citizens Center. The $75-a-plate event, which dates back at least to 1959, puts steaks on the grill and puts a spotlight on the achievements of local Scout troops.

 U.S. News & World Report, a global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, has named Ochsner St. Anne Hospital a 2026 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care.
This is the highest award a hospital can earn as part of the U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care annual study for treating lower risk pregnancies. Ochsner Health is the only health system in Louisiana to have two hospitals receive this award; Ochsner Medical Center — Kenner was also honored.  
Ochsner Health, which operates Ochsner St. Mary under lease with Hospital Service District No. 2, consolidated Bayou Region labor and delivery services at its St. Anne facility as it ended nonemergency obstetrics care at the Morgan City hospital in April 2023.
"We are incredibly proud of the women›s services teams at Ochsner St. Anne and OMC- Kenner. Their dedication to the safety and welfare of both delivering mothers and newborn babies is reflected in this respected designation,"said Joseph Biggio, MD, MS, system chair of women’s services, Ochsner Health “Our teams consistently demonstrate a commitment to providing exceptional care, ensuring that every family feels supported and secure during one of life›s most important moments.” 
Ochsner St. Anne earned a High Performing designation in recognition of maternity care for uncomplicated pregnancies as measured by factors such as: 
•C-section rates in lower-risk pregnancies 
•Severe unexpected newborn complication rates 
•Exclusive breast milk feeding rates 
•Birthing-friendly practices "We are honored by this recognition from U.S. News & World Report, which illustrates the dedication and expertise of our outstanding women’s services teams at Ochsner St. Anne,» said Fernis LeBlanc, CEO, Ochsner Bayou Region.
"From prenatal care to delivery and the important postpartum period, we provide exceptional, high-quality care to mothers and their babies. Our local community can be assured that when they choose Ochsner St. Anne for the milestone of adding a new family member, nationally recognized care will be delivered and patient safety and satisfaction is prioritized."
U.S. News began evaluating maternity care hospitals in 2021, rating hospitals that provide labor and delivery services and submit detailed data to the publication for analysis.  
“OMC - Kenner and Ochsner St. Anne’s recognition underscores the unwavering commitment to providing families with the highest level of care during such a special time in their lives,” said Robert Hart, MD, chief physician executive, Ochsner Health. “From evidence-based practices to a compassionate approach, every member of these teams is dedicated to ensuring that mothers and their babies receive exceptional, personalized care that prioritizes safety, comfort, and well-being.” 
For the 2026 edition, approximately 900 hospitals nationwide submitted maternity data for evaluation. Best Hospitals for Maternity Care ratings are intended to assist expectant parents, in consultation with their prenatal care providers, in making informed decisions about where to receive maternity services that best meet their family’s needs.  
"Hospitals designated as a U.S. News Best Hospital for Maternity Care are national leaders. This recognition means they are consistently hitting crucial patient safety benchmarks compared to other hospitals,” said Jennifer Winston, Ph.D., health data scientist at U.S. News. “It›s a clear signal to expectant parents about where the highest standards of care are being practiced – when parents see this designation, they can be assured they are choosing a hospital dedicated to exceptional, evidence-based maternity care.” 
For more information about Ochsner Health and its women’s services, please visit ochsner.org/womens. Resources for both expecting and new parents are available at ochsner.org/newmom. To learn more about maternity care at Ochsner St. Anne and to schedule an appointment, visit ochsner.org/stanne.