Claudette Gerard Lupo

Claudette Gerard Lupo died Thursday, May 26th at 1:20pm, after a long illness. Claudette was born January 13, 1938 to her parents Claude Gerard and Anna Mae Whitman Gerard and grew up in New Orleans’ 7th Ward. She attended McDonogh #9 elementary school and graduated from John McDonogh Senior High School in 1955 where she met the love of her life, Thomas J. Lupo. Tommy and Claudette were married for 43 years until his death in 1999 and they were blessed with two children, Glenn Thomas Lupo and Julie Anne Lupo.

Claudette worked for many years as Tommy’s administrative assistant in his thriving construction business. She also assisted him during his tenure as President of the Home Builders Association in 1985. They were members of the Trumpers card group and charter members of Chateau Golf and Country Club in Kenner, LA.

Claudette was gifted with a wonderful sense of humor and wit. She was the epitome of southern grace and charm, and a wonderful hostess with a classic sense of style. She was an avid dancer, an LSU Golden Girl and loved tennis. In 2000 a friend invited her to audition for the New Orleans chapter of the Sweet Adelines International. Claudette flourished in the Sweet Adelines enjoying the friendships, fun and beautiful music for the rest of her life. Those close friends embraced her especially during her illness, and brought great joy to her last days through their support and love.

Claudette is survived by her cherished son, Glenn Thomas Lupo his wife, Phoebe Li Lupo, daughter, Julie Anne Lupo, grandsons, Noah and Eli Lupo, granddaughter Amber Rogers, sister, Anne Gerard Franz, sisters-in-law Josie Mouledous, Karen Castjohn, Connie Leblanc, and Jonelle Foltz, brothers-in-law Roy Mouledous, and Michael Foltz, and a host of family and friends, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Claudette was preceded in death by her husband and childhood sweetheart, Thomas J. Lupo, father, Claude Gerard, mother Anna Mae Whitman Gerard, mother-in-law Sylvia Leblanc, father-in-law Irvin Louis Leblanc, grandmother-in-law Florence (Memo) Wisner, grand uncle-in-law Andrew Wisner, brothers-in-law Irvin P. Leblanc, Frank Castjohn, Arthur J. Franz Jr., nieces Sylvia Mouledous Natal, and Claudia Anne Franz.

Friends and family are invited to a memorial service for Claudette on Thursday, June 30th, at Leitz-Eagan at 4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie, LA 70006. Visitation is from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, with a service at 6:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cancer Crusaders, P. O. Box 7911, Metairie, LA 70010-7911.