Ann Wilmot Gauthier Rappaport

Ann Wilmot Gauthier Rappaport, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving husband and children on Tuesday, December 3, 2019. She was born on June 6, 1937 in New Orleans, Louisiana and preceded in death by her parents Julian Mollere Wilmot and Florence Miriam Schwab and a sister, Mary Mollere Wilmot.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Rappaport, her three children, Miriam Gauthier and her husband Bradford Johnson of Covington, Louisiana, Julie Gauthier and her husband William Kiermaier of Red Feather Lake, Colorado, David Gauthier and his wife Noel of Covington, and her grandson John Gauthier LeBien of New Orleans and two step-daughters Jessica Rappaport of Cincinnati, Ohio and Carrie Murtha of Palm Harbor, Florida. She is also survived by her brother John Wilmot (Lynda), and three sisters, Barbara Wilmot Stapp (Dan) of New Orleans, Caryl Wilmot Barnes (Gene) of Mandeville, Louisiana, Cary Wilmot Alden of New Orleans, Louisiana, and several nieces and nephews.

Born and reared in New Orleans, she attended Holy Name of Jesus School and graduated from Holy Name of Jesus High School (Mercy Academy). Ann was known for her many talents including her athleticism, dancing abilities, and her musical talent. While living in Covington she was active in Playmakers Theater both on stage, winning acting awards, and behind the scenes. She was a well- known figure in Northshore art circles and was a member the St. Tammany Art Association, The Louisiana Watercolor Society and was a member of the prestigious National Society of Painters in Casein and Acrylic.

A gifted, self-taught pianist and accomplished artist, Ann began painting and drawing when she was eight years old. She studied at the John McCrady Art School. A contemporary and associate of the late internationally acclaimed artist Rolland Golden, she was one of a select group of artists who were invited to exhibit their paintings in his daughter’s French Quarter Gallery. She became a professional portraitist under the name of Ann Wilmot Gauthier after her first marriage while raising her three children.

In 1970 she began painting with acrylics using the traditional watercolor approach of thin transparent washes on paper. She is a pioneer in this procedure. During that time in her life, she focused her style on strong contrasts of light and shadow. In 1977 she began a career as a professional painter gaining recognition for her dramatic still lifes in which she brought out the tones and contours of objects bathed in warm morning light.

Her life story and paintings were featured in American Artist Magazine in February 1991. Quoted in the article by Rolland Golden…"creative, a fine technician. I think she's one of Louisiana's best artists," adding that her still lifes remind him of the work of Dutch Master Jan Vermeer, "but with a contemporary point of view. She has simplified things where the abstract shows through."

She was accepted in numerous local, regional and national juried competitions winning many of the top awards. Additionally, she was a featured artist in over 30 solo, two and three person exhibits in the metropolitan area and surrounding regions receiving favorable reviews on each occasion. During her long career, she donated many of her paintings to various charitable causes.

Ann returned with her husband to New Orleans in 1995 from Covington where they resided since 1970. In 2002 she retired from gallery affiliations and became interested in painting small, opaque acrylics on canvas which she continued to do in her studio at home until shortly before her death.

Ann will be remembered by her family and friends for her great sense of humor, her deep spirituality, kindness to others, and loving heart. She had a special gift of being a good listener and was dedicated to helping others in spiritual paths as well as causes dealing with injustice and the less fortunate, unafraid to speak up for them and help in support.

A private graveside burial service was held Monday, Dec. 9 for family at Lakelawn Metairie. A memorial celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to animal rescue organization of your choice or to cancer research.