Passionate prolife leader retires
by Anne Marie Cox | March 22, 2026
Catherine Tardieu Schroeder bubbles with energy. She’s proud of her husband, Lon, her children and grandchildren, and her contributions to various Catholic groups. On a recent Sunday afternoon, she shared stories near and dear to her heart: those of the mamas and babies celebrating life through Gabriel’s Corner.
Fifteen years ago, when she was still fairly new to Iowa, she walked through the door of Gabriel’s Corner, a prolife crisis pregnancy center planted directly across the street from a Planned Parenthood clinic in Council Bluffs.
She told the center’s founders, Dean Jean Plourde and his wife, Kathy, that she felt called to volunteer. One year later, the couple invited her to become the director.
After 15 years, 14 as director, of mothering women facing difficult life decisions, loving their children, and working alongside a core group of dedicated volunteers, Catherine is retiring.
“Catherine has been very instrumental in making Gabriel’s Corner known throughout this area,” said Deacon Plourde. “It’s been a very good relationship with her and her husband, Lon. We wish her the best. She’s earned it.”
Not only has she been influential in building the prolife pregnancy center in Council Bluffs, but helping the region in prolife activities.
“Catherine is a steady force for life in southwest Iowa for as long as I have been involved in the pro-life movement,” said Maggie DeWitte, executive director of Pulse Life Advocates. “She has dedicated her life to serving women and families facing unplanned pregnancies. She has a big heart, an infectious personality, and deep devotion to the Church and the unborn. She is a tremendous asset to Gabriel's Corner and will truly be missed.”
Catherine’s life has not followed the path she thought it might, but she’s been open to wherever God’s Spirit leads. Often citing Scripture, she feels pulled to a new phase in life. It’s time, she says, to help Lon in his business, maybe do more photography, write a book, and enjoy the lovely rolling hills and countryside from the deck of the Schroeder home near Avoca.
Catherine was born and raised on the island of Trinidad in the Caribbean. She married and had two sons before her first husband, Jean-Pierre, died in a car crash on Good Friday in 2005. She was left raising their teenage sons with the help of family and friends.
In her time of trial, she adopted the prayer of Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:10, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory, that your hand would be with me, and that you would keep me from evil and harm, so that I may not cause pain.”
While living in Trinidad in 2008, she met through catholicsingles.com Lon, who was living in Florida. They moved to his home state of Iowa after they married in August, 2010, holding to the bible verse “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper and not harm you, and give you a future of hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
“God has truly put us together to help get each other to heaven,” she said. “Lon is actually the reason that I heard about and joined the Gabriel’s Corner family, because of some information he heard on Spirit Catholic Radio one night coming home from work.”
He learned there would be a town hall meeting in Carter Lake regarding a proposal for an abortion clinic. Lon and Catherine attended, and he spoke up about how an abortion mill would change the community for the worse.
After the meeting, Kathy and Deacon Plourde introduced themselves and Catherine began volunteering at their prolife clinic.
She’s had the opportunity to use her gifts and talents at Gabriel’s Corner by reassuring mothers, working with donors, enjoying the children who come in, and taking pictures.
Gabriel’s Corner is a success because of the community and supporters, Catherine said.
“We offer all our services to our clients for free: pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, all the big items that mamas need before the baby is born like cribs, bassinettes, pack and plays, car seats, strollers, highchairs, swings, bouncers, walkers, and more,” she said.
On a weekly basis, parents can get diapers, pull-ups, wipes, toiletries, and formula when available. Monthly, they can come for shoes and clothing to help alleviate some of the financial stress of having a baby.
It hasn’t always been easy. There were days when a woman opted to leave Gabriel’s Corner and go to the former Planned Parenthood clinic across the street that’s now closed, said Lon.
“She did everything she could do to persuade them to be prolife,” he said. Proud doesn’t come close to describing how he feels about her work at Gabriel’s Corner.
“She’s got a passion for it. It’s going to be a transition, but she’ll never be transitioning away from prolife,” he said.
Catherine says one of the greatest achievements of Gabriel’s Corner is the high level of trust it’s developed with thousands of clients and their families.
“They keep coming back to a place where they know they are loved and cared for,” she said.
Catherine will retire at the end of April. She is assisting with the Gabriel’s Corner’s 20th anniversary celebration on April 10.
Now, she looks forward to spending more time with Lon, their blended family and grandchildren, and to whatever God has planned for her future.
Staff at Gabriel's Corner prolife pregnancy center in Council Bluffs. Catherine Tardieu Schroeder, at far right, is retiring as executive director at the end of April.
Nurses who help at Gabriel's Corner prolife pregnancy clinic in Council Bluffs.
Staff at Gabriel's Corner prolife pregnancy clinic in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Catherine Tardieu Schroeder, far right, is retiring at the end of April.