Gerri Puyau, born Geraldine Sally diBenedetto, passed peacefully at the age of 94 on May 13, 2025, at her home in Baton Rouge, LA. Daughter of the late Salvador diBenedetto and Eunice Frisch diBenedetto of New Orleans, LA. Beloved wife of the late Dr. Francis A. Puyau, sister to the late Robert L. diBenedetto, Betty Anne Mentel Ross, and Patricia diBenedetto. Survived by her sister Eunice Marie Allen Jennings. Loving mother of Michael (Susan); Stephen (Lynda); Jeanne Marie “Sally”; Julie (Doug); and Melissa “Lisa” (Will). Grandmother of Daniel Puyau (Lindsay); Sarah Puyau Chappell (Adrian); Nathaniel Puyau (Bernardita “Bernie”); Renee Puyau Stelzer (Jason); Jourdan Puyau; Noah Nagle; Anah Nagle; Mary Helen Manuel, Jimmy Manuel. Great Grandmother of O’Malley and Bear Puyau, Oakley Harrell Davenport (Jarred) and River Harrell; Isabel and Violet Chappell; Calvin and Norah Puyau; Charlotte “Charlie” and Bernadette “Bernie” Stelzer.
Gerri graduated from the Academy of Holy Angels High School in 1947 and was an avid artist throughout her life. Her art reflected the culture of her native city, New Orleans, and the state of Louisiana. She worked in various mediums including oils, pastels, watercolor and her favorite, copper enameling using the Limoge technique. Her art education spans over many different institutions including, L.E. Rabouin School for Commercial Art, NOLA; University of Tennessee, Nashville, TN; Aquinas College, Nashville, TN; Newcomb College, NOLA; and Penland School for Craft, Penland, NC. She was a founding member of the National Enamelist Society and attended many of their workshops. She was also a member of the National Enamelist Guild, Washington DC, Women in the Arts, Louisiana Crafts Council, Louisiana Art and Artist Guild and Associated Women in the arts.
Gerri’s exquisite artwork has won several awards and has been exhibited in such prestigious exhibits such as the Enamelist Society First and Second Juried Exhibitions, Louisiana State Archives, Tulane University Medical Center, Louisiana Rural Life Museum, Louisiana Crafts Council Juried Exhibits, Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce, Nashville Chamber of Commerce and the Parthenon in Nashville, TN.
Services will be held on Monday, May 19, 2025, at St. Jude the Apostle Church in Baton Rouge. Services will begin with visitation from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM followed by a funeral Mass.
