Leea Mestayer Pittenger

Born on January 26, 1928, to Alice and Roland Mestayer, Leea died on July 28, 2024, in Baton Rouge surrounded by her six children. She was 96. Leea lived a very full life and kept her faith as a beacon. Leea started at St. Leo’s Elementary School and moved to Metairie and attended St. Francis Xavier. During WWII the family moved to Houston and after 3 years returned to Metairie where she finished high school at St. Joseph’s Academy. She recently attended her 79th high school reunion in New Orleans.

A native of New Orleans, Leea received her education degree from Loyola University in 1949. After teaching elementary school, she married William Pittenger and moved to Cleveland, OH. Leea and Bill soon moved to Columbia, S.C. where they raised their six children. While in South Carolina, Leea received her master’s degree in Family Counseling. She moved to Baton Rouge in 1977 and worked as a guidance counselor in the EBRP school system for 20 years. Leea was named Louisiana Guidance Counselor of the year in 1995. Leea also provided premarital counseling for the diocese at the Catholic Life Center.

Leea travelled extensively with friends across the country and abroad. She loved life and had a wonderful sense of humor. She never met a stranger. Later after experiencing a stroke, Leea was able to regain enough independence to move to Williamsburg Senior Community, where she enjoyed an active lifestyle since 2015. She enjoyed her time at Williamsburg; especially her weekly poker games. She cherished her Sunday dinners with her children and grandchildren. Of particular note, Leea was blessed with many wonderful memories of Bay St. Louis, MS, where her family built a 2nd home in the 1940's. Later, she would spend many weekends there with her children, grandchildren and siblings.

As many of you know, Leea’s Catholic faith has always been the foundation of her life. In recent years, she was afforded the privilege of serving as the lector at Saturday vigil masses at Williamsburg.

Leea enjoyed playing cards whenever she had the opportunity, and became a loyal LSU fan over the years. She also wanted the staff and her friends at Williamsburg to know how much they all contributed to her wonderful quality of life over the last ten years.

Leea was preceded in death by her parents; Roland and Alice Mestayer; her siblings, Henry Mestayer, Anne Laville, and Roland Mestayer, and her beloved dog, Rusty.

She is survived by her children, Leea (David Brown), Billy, Richard (Michelle), Tommy (LeAnn), Mike, and Joseph (Barbara); her grandchildren, Sarah and Alice Brown, Molly Nations, Emma and Georgia Pittenger, Kelsey Guidry, Bailey Pittenger, Connor and Haley Pittenger, and her great-grandchildren, Bryce and Cole Nations.

The family gives special thanks to Ms. Rogers, Leea’s friend and caretaker.

Visitation will be 9am Friday at Saint Aloysius Catholic Church, followed by a funeral Mass at 11am. In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Rose de Lima Catholic Church in Bay St. Louis, MS.(srdla.org)