Cynthia Sutton Sutton

Cynthia S. Sutton, a longtime resident of New Orleans, passed away peacefully at the age of 96 on Friday, January 31, 2020, surrounded by loved ones. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 70 years, Meyer (Mike) Sutton, and dear brother, Dr. Meyer Sutton.

She was also preceded in death by her beloved parents, Celia Shabot Sutton and Jack Sutton, who owned some of New Orleans’ premier linen shops, beginning at the Roosevelt Hotel. Perhaps growing up surrounded by these exquisite items was the beginning of her love of beautiful things and her reputation of being the consummate entertainer. She had a joie de vivre and charm that brought sparkle to every room she entered with her grace and her stunning jewelry! Elegance should have been her middle name.

Her parents immigrated to New Orleans from Syria by way of New York, and Cynthia was the first Syrian woman in her community to earn a college degree, graduating from LSU in 1943. This was the beginning of a life of learning! Cynthia taught school for a short time, worked at several Royal Street galleries and volunteered for the NCJW Shield program. She was always involved in a book club and was a champion of “women’s rights” and “human rights” before the terms became popular. When her housekeeper was not allowed into a Canal Street fur salon in the early 1960s, Cynthia took her right back to the store, where she was a customer herself, and demanded that her housekeeper be served. She was.

A lover of family, friends, travel, shopping and the quintessential Middle Eastern cook, this tiny-but-mighty woman was also the best listener and the person her family went to for advice, be it about cooking, relationships or world events.

She is survived by her three loving children, Joseph Sutton (Lois) of New Orleans, Suzanne Ratner of San Antonio and Candice Rosenblum (Wally) of Mandeville; her adoring grandchildren, Rachel Sutton Freeman (Matthew) of Los Gatos, CA, Marc Ratner (Erin) of Minneapolis, MN, Cym Sutton Kibort (Jesse) of Minnetonka, MN, Sybil Ratner Webb (Brandon) of San Antonio, TX, Zack Rosenblum (Sara) of Washington, D.C., and Cynthia Rosenblum Turbow (Paul) of Los Angeles, CA and her beloved great-grandchildren, Josh Freeman, Julia Kibort, Ellison Ratner, Charles Freeman, Audrey Kibort, Brandon Webb, Micah Rosenblum, Celia Webb, Seth Rosenblum and Celia Turbow.

Additionally, she is survived by her step-grandsons, Scott Harris (Sara) of New York City and Judd Harris (Sarah) of the Dominican Republic and New York, and her step-great-grandchildren, Millie, Elizabeth and Isaac Harris.

Cherished siblings Joseph Sutton, Ronald Sutton (Elayne) and Richard Sutton (Elaine) and sister-in-law Priscilla Sutton also survive her.

The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to her beloved life-long family friend Fred Delahoussaye for his many years of dedication and caring, and their gratitude and sincere appreciation to her wonderful caregivers, Stacey Joan Johnson, Ella Davis Gill and Denise Gathright.

Graveside services were held Friday, January 31, 2020 at Hebrew Rest Cemetery III, New Orleans with Rabbi Katie Bauman officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Cynthia’s memory to Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans, 3300 W. Esplanade Ave., Suite 603, Metairie, LA 70002. Condolences may be shared online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com. Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Information: (504) 486-6331