Helen Jensen Lala

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Carl Holger Jensen and Violet Barcklay Jensen; her step-mother Lillian Jensen; her beloved husband of 45 years, Theodore Joseph Lala; and three of her children, Theodore Rory Lala, Linda Lala Weeksley, and Mark Gregory Lala.

She is survived by five children, Randy Carl Lala, Jon Matthew Lala, Joellen Lala Guarino (Milton, Jr.), Kim Lala Garvey (Richard, Jr.), and Susan Lala Sicard (Timothy); her grandchildren, Debra Ciaccio, Laura Hopson, Jason Vincent, Milton Guarino, III, Richard Joseph Garvey III, Allison Jensen Garvey, Theodore James Garvey, Timothy Evan Sicard, Erin Frances Sicard, and Ethan Edward Sicard; numerous great, and great, great grandchildren; her step-brother, Robert “Bob” Jensen (Donna) and her step-sister, Sharon Jensen (Lionel); as well as numerous other relatives and friends.

Helen was born in Spokane, Washington on February 27, 1925. She was a graduate of Ulysses S. Grant High School in Portland, Oregon. After high school and during World War II, she enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. She proudly served her country as a Marine working in communications. While enlisted, she met another Marine, Ted Lala, who became the love of her life. They were soon married, and after their honorable discharges, resided in Salem, Oregon. Several years later they settled in New Orleans, Ted’s hometown. Helen began her long career as switchboard operator at Phelps Dunbar law firm in New Orleans. She retired from the firm at the age of 88!

Helen loved to watch classic movies from the golden age of Hollywood. She also enjoyed walking, people watching, the great outdoors, and most of all, being with her family.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend prayer service in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Friday, July 19, 2024, at 2:00PM. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 12:00PM. The interment will follow the Mass in Metairie Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Helen’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org or to the Salvation Army, www.salvationarmyusa.org.

To view and sign the online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.