Ruth Reba Porter Blair

Ruth Reba Porter Blair, 79, of New Orleans, Louisiana peacefully passed away after a battle with cancer on July 3, 2014. Born on August 21, 1934 in New Orleans, Ruth Reba Blair was the daughter of Joseph Aloyisus (Al) and Ruth Labostrie Porter. She is survived by her daughter Constance Blair and was predeceased by her husband, William Jenning Blair as well as her son, Joseph Vernon Blair. She is also survived by her two granddaughters, Jennifer Shay and Jessica Webster, her husband Noah Webster and 4 great-grandchildren, Chloe Shay, Liam Shay, Ella Webster, and Maya Webster. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

As a youth she attended Gilbert Academy, McDonough 35 High School, and Dillard University. She completed Straight Business School and Practical Nursing studies. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of New Orleans and a Master’s Certificate from the George Washington University.

During her life she worked as a nurse at Charity Hospital, and entered Federal Civil Service in 1959 with the US Postal Service, she worked for NASA nearly two decades and retired from Civil Service with the U.S. Navy on July 3, 1996. She enjoyed writing and authored both published and unpublished works.

She was a member of the Holy Redeemer Parish, then the St. James Major Parish for over 40 years and later the Cabrini Parish until Hurricane Katrina, when she moved briefly to the St. Joan of Arc Parish, her most recent parish was St. Clements in Metairie. Her strongest love always remained with the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, St. Jude Shrine where she worshiped since the 1950’s and enjoyed fellowship with the Fifty Plus group.

She was a member of the UNO Alumni organization, the NCMA (National Contract Management Association), and an active member of NARFE (National Association of Retired Federal Employees) where she served as an officer. She enjoyed travel and traveled often with the Golden Opportunity organization and with her family. Her love of travel, history, and architecture took her around the globe, to Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Central and South America.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the American Cancer Society or Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.

Funeral arrangements are with Lake Lawn Metairie. She will be laid to rest on Monday morning, July 7, 2014, with her parents at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in New Orleans.

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