Blanche Mouledoux Comiskey

Blanche Mouledoux Comiskey passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on the 8th of August, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, James August Comiskey, Sr. who died in 2005. Her parents, Gabriel Jean Mouledoux and Hilda Grither Goodspeed, her siblings, Gabriel (Adrienne), Thelma Mae Trapolin (Winter), Warren (Gloria), Yvonne Hill, Hilda Blitch (Buck), George (Evelyn), Elaine Webb (Wally), Marian Clay (Sonny), and Sister Marie Jeanne, RSM also preceded her. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Laura Comiskey Murphy, her eleven children, Margaret (the late Karl) Pomerleau, Marian Roper (Tim), James Comiskey (Carlin), Laura Broders (John), Blanche Michelle (the late Haber) McCarthy, Jeanne Hartnett (John), Eileen, Paula Mentz (Hal), Louise Bryan (John), Elizabeth Novick (Lee), and Catherine Marsh (Andrew); twenty-seven grandchildren, Brian Pomerleau (Stacie), David Pomerleau (Wendi), Bridget Kelly (Aaron Haye), Erin Furby (Ryan), Alexandra Roper (Heather Rotz), Victoria Roper, James Cosmo Comiskey (Melissa), Andrée Comiskey, Justin Comiskey, Sara Fairchild (Ryan), Gabrielle Broders (Brandon Rogers), Jacob Broders, Jack Hartnett, Annabelle Hartnett, Caroline Hartnett, Henry Mentz (Haley), James Mentz (Julia), Philip Mentz, Margaret Mentz, Camille Bryan, Augusta Bryan, Malcolm Bryan, Quinn Novick, Hannah Novick, Mathilde Marsh, William Marsh and James Marsh; and thirteen great-grandchildren, Oliver, August, Nathaniel, Spencer, Stella, Blaise, Knox, James Orion, Cormac, Ty, Nia, Henry and Sloane, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Blanche attended Catholic schools from kindergarten through college, graduating the Valedictorian from Holy Name of Jesus Mercy Academy High School and with honors from Loyola University. During her time at Loyola, she promoted racial justice with the The Young Christian Students of Loyola. Blanche also excelled in journalism and was the first woman to be appointed Editor of the Loyola Maroon. In her senior year of college, Blanche was elected Student Council President but was quickly informed that women were not allowed to serve as President and eventually served as Student Council Representative.

At Loyola, Blanche met James Comiskey, a law student, and the two decided to marry on their very first date. From that moment, her life was joyfully anchored in family and faith. While she embraced her most cherished role as wife and mother to eleven children, Blanche also distinguished herself as one of the most remarkable volunteers of her generation.

Blanche helped turn out the vote for women through education and workshops with the League of Women Voters. In 1978, Blanche became the second female Board Member of the "Keep Christ in Christmas” Campaign.

Through her active volunteerism, Blanche instilled a lifelong commitment to helping others. Many Saturdays found her— with daughters in tow—teaching sewing at the House of Bread, leading a Girl Scout troop, or delivering food to families in need. She exhibited great fortitude in every endeavor and often encouraged her children with the words, “It is not easy but it is possible.”

The most transformative leadership position for Blanche was working alongside Susan Levy in organizing over 3,000 volunteers for the Vatican Pavilion during the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition. Following this year long project, Blanche and Susan created an awareness of liturgical art with the program, “Stained Glass Art in Sacred Places Tours” sponsored by the Preservation Resource Center.

The intersection of preservation, art, and faith was realized when Blanche and Susan founded the Friends of St. Alphonsus to save the 161-year-old church of the same name. In 1996, as President of the organization, Blanche helped secure its designation as a National Historic Landmark.

Blanche’s lifetime of service was recognized by her community, by national organizations and by the Church.

She was honored with the Mother Catherine McAuley Award from the Mercy Alumnae Association, the Volunteer Activist Award from St. Elizabeth’s Guild, the Regina Matrum Award from the Council of Catholic Schools Cooperative Clubs, and the Young Leadership Council Role Model Award. Blanche received the Golden Rose Award from the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians and, together with her late husband, James A. Comiskey Sr., the Adjutor Hominum Award from Loyola University. In 1989, Pope John Paul II

bestowed upon her the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal—one of the highest honors granted to the laity— in tribute to her extraordinary devotion and service.

Some of Blanche’s happiest times were spent at her City Park Avenue home where she lived for over fifty years and developed life-long friendships with her neighbors. Three generations of family members fondly remember taking long walks in the park to climb the oak trees and feed the ducks. When Blanche moved to Lambeth House in 2023 she quickly found the kindness of new friends.

Blanche’s family would like to express deep appreciation to the devoted medical and nursing staff at Touro LCMC Health Telemetry M Unit.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend The Requiem Mass celebrated by Archbishop Aymond at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 3368 Esplanade Avenue, on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. Visitation will be at the Church beginning at 9:30 am followed by Mass at 11:00 am. A Visitation will also be held on Monday, August 18, 2025 at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., from 5-7pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: City Park Conservancy, Loyola University, https://spark.loyno.edu/tribute, or Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, P.O. Box 58009 New Orleans, LA 70158 attention: Blanche Comiskey memorial.