Obituary: Shantel Lanerie

Shantel Lanerie

June 01, 1976 – June 22, 2018

CARENCRO ~ Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 28, 2018 at an 11:00 a.m. Liturgy of the Word in Evangeline Memorial Gardens Chapel in Carencro for Shantel Lanerie, age 42, the former Shantel Hebert, who passed away Friday, June 22, 2018 at Norton Women’s and Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.

Interment will be in Evangeline Memorial Gardens in Carencro. The Rev. Gary Schexnayder will officiate at the services.

Musical selections will be provided by Charlotte Jagneaux, accompanied by Phyllis Simar on the organ. The songs will be You Will Always Be A Child In My Eyes, Hail Mary Gentle Woman, Isaiah 49, and Wind Beneath my Wings.

Shantel was a native of Cecilia and had been a resident of Louisville, KY for the past 15 years. She was a 1994 graduate of Cecilia High School and was a 13-year dance student at Liz Trahan School of Dance. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, adored daughter and beloved friend.

Survivors include her loving husband of 21 years, Corey Lanerie of Louisville, KY; one daughter, Brittlyn Lanerie; her parents, Riley Hebert and the former Katherine Guilbeau; one brother, Rylan Hebert; one niece, Brooklyn Hebert; her mother-in-law & father-in-law, Debbie and Gerald Lanerie; and one godchild, Ashton Theriot.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, John Guilbeau and the former Nora Belle Guidry; and her paternal grandparents, Justin Hebert and the former Gladys Robin.

A rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Wednesday and will continue from 8:00 a.m. until service time on Thursday.

Pallbearers will be Riley Hebert, Rylan Hebert, John L. Guilbeau, Earl Estilette, Robby Albarado and Gerald Lanerie. Honorary pallbearer will be Keith Estilette.

Melancon Funeral Home, Evangeline Memorial Gardens Chapel, 4117 N. University Ave., Carencro, (337) 896-3232, is in charge of arrangements.

 

SERVICES

VisitationWednesday, June 27, 2018
10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Melancon Funeral Home Chapel
4117 N. University Ave.
Carencro, Louisiana 70520Get Directions on Google Maps

 

RosaryWednesday, June 27, 2018
7:00 PM

Melancon Funeral Home Chapel
4117 N. University Ave.
Carencro, Louisiana 70520Get Directions on Google Maps

 

VisitationThursday, June 28, 2018
9:00 AM

Melancon Funeral Home Chapel
4117 N. University Ave.
Carencro, Louisiana 70520Get Directions on Google Maps

 

Liturgy of the WordThursday, June 28, 2018
11:00 AM

Melancon Funeral Home Chapel
4117 N. University Ave.
Carencro, Louisiana 70520Get Directions on Google Maps

Shantel Lanerie, 42, Dies; Wife Of Jockey Corey Lanerie, Mother Of Brittlyn, Waged Courageous Battle Against Cancer

Corey and Shantel Lanerie, with their daughter Brittlyn, at the Survivors Parade on Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs

Shantel Lanerie, the beloved wife of Churchill Downs’ 15-time champion jockey Corey Lanerie and devoted mother of their 10-year-old daughter Brittlyn, passed away late Friday afternoon at Norton Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Louisville, Ky. She was 42.

Shantel Lanerie was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer earlier this year and had been undergoing chemotherapy treatments to battle the disease. She was admitted to the hospital Thursday to treat what was diagnosed as sepsis – a severe infection – and underwent emergency surgery that evening, according to family friend Gary Palmisano. Sadly, her courageous fight ended Friday.

Raised in Cecilia, La., Shantel was the daughter of a trainer and met her future husband when he began riding at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, La. in 1991. They were married April 11, 1997.

After dominating the Texas and Louisiana horse racing circuits, Corey and his wife moved to Kentucky in the spring of 2005 and took up residence in Louisville’s Lake Forest community.

While watching her husband ride, Shantel held various positions at the track primarily before their only daughter Brittlyn was born in early 2008. She worked as a tab writer with the clocker at Lone Star Park, a mutuel clerk at Fair Grounds and a photographer’s assistant at Churchill Downs.

As Corey’s success reached new heights with the first of 15 Churchill Downs riding titles at the 2012 spring meet, Shantel and Brittlyn were often spotted and recognized in the Churchill Downs’ winner’s circle while sporting wide smiles and the most stylish fashion.

Additionally, Shantel was famously known around the racetrack for her hospitality and delicious Cajun cooking as she often whipped up memorable meals for family and friends after the races and on “dark days” at their Louisville home.

“The Churchill Downs family is devastated by the sudden passing of Shantel Lanerie,” said Churchill Downs racetrack president Kevin Flanery. “This is a very sad day. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Corey, Brittlyn, family members and numerous friends as they endure this extremely difficult time. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.”

After being diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year, Shantel was one of 144 women that walked in the always-stirring Survivors Parade on Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs and a video that told her story was shown throughout Churchill Downs on the Big Board.

Jockeys wore pink “Fight With Shantel” bands around their legs on Kentucky Oaks Day. Those bands somberly returned during Friday’s racing program at Churchill Downs.

In addition to Corey and Brittlyn, Shantel is survived by her mother and father, Katie and Riley Hebert; brother Rylan Hebert; and mother-in-law and and father-in-law Debbie and Gerald Lanerie.

At the time of Shantel’s passing, the family was surrounded by members of the Churchill Downs jockey colony, including Robby Albarado, Brian Hernandez Jr., Ricardo Santana Jr., Julien Leparoux and Samuel Camacho Jr.

A memorial service in Louisville and funeral in Louisiana is pending.