Elizabeth Nairne McDermott

On March 26, 2020, Elizabeth Nairne McDermott passed away at her home in Lambeth House, following a brief illness. A life-long resident of New Orleans, Betty was 91. She had been the beloved wife of Stanley McDermott, Jr., for 62 years before his death in 2014.

The daughter of Mae Hennessy Nairne and George Gordon Nairne, Betty graduated from the Academy of the Sacred Heart in 1945, and earned a B.A. in English from Sophie Newcomb College in 1949. Her experiences there inspired Betty with an enduring love of learning: she later earned three master’s degrees from three universities: English (Tulane), urban planning (UNO), and pastoral studies (Loyola).

Betty was especially devoted to New Orleans, putting her talents to work by serving as an accomplished administrator of numerous civic projects, including the Bicentennial Celebration in 1976, the Treasures of Tutankhamen exhibition at the New Orleans Museum of Art in 1977, the Sun King exhibition at the Louisiana State Museum in 1984 and the Papal visit to New Orleans in 1987. A vocal advocate of the importance of civic service, she sat on numerous charitable boards, including Kinglsey House, Covenant House, Family Service of Greater New Orleans and the Contemporary Arts Center. Her social clubs included the Orleans Club, Le Petite Salon and the literary Quarante Club.

Betty traveled extensively with her husband Stanley, seeing virtually all the major cities of the world. Despite her far travels, her favorite spot for many years was the family home at 355 Fairway Drive, where summers of Camp McDermott were held for her grandchildren and a giant oak overlooked countless Sunday dinners with all of her loved ones.

Betty was known in the community for having attended daily mass for decades, her fruit deliveries to local homeless shelters, and driving Lazareth House residents to their medical appointments.

Betty added unique color and irreplaceable warmth to the lives of her family and an extensive network of friends. She embraced life ambitiously and lived it fully, sparking admiration and emulation by many. She will be sorely missed and long remembered.

She is survived by her three children, Stanley McDermott III and his wife Gail of New York City; Kevin Nairne McDermott and his wife Leslie of Mandeville and Martha McDermott Landrum and her husband John of New Orleans; by her four grandchildren, Matthew Buchan McDermott (Fang), Dr. Margaret Leslie McDermott (Nia), Sarah Griffin Landrum, and George Nairne Landrum (Connie); and by two great grandsons, Boris Conrad Landrum and Stephen Martinez Ye McDermott.

Due to current circumstances, there will be no funeral at this time. Donations can be made to the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Institutional Advancement, 4521 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA. 70115, or to the charity of your choice.