Wendy Schornstein Good

Wendy Schornstein Good, age 61, ended her battle with glioblastoma brain cancer on May 24, 2020, in New Orleans, LA, surrounded by loved ones. Born on September 24, 1958 to Florence and Richard Schornstein, Wendy attended Isidore Newman School, class of 1976. She then left New Orleans to attend Brown University, from which she graduated in 1980 Magna Cum Laude, before returning to New Orleans. Wendy went on to Tulane Law School, class of 1984, where she was a member of Order of the Coif and Tulane Law Review before graduating Magna Cum Laude.

From 1984 - 1985, Wendy clerked for the Hon. Albert Tate, Jr. at the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. She then joined Sessions, Fishman, Nathan & Israel in the estate and trust practice as an associate in 1985 and remained there until 1988. Wendy’s heart, however, was with her community and she always found a way to give back to others. She served as an executive board member for Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans, as well as a board member of Temple Sinai where she co-created and led Sabbath of the Soul, a monthly lay-led service, and founded Young Families Chavurah. In 2008, Wendy became a founding board member for Liberty’s Kitchen.

After returning to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, or the “federal flood of 2005” as she preferred to call it, Wendy began photographing and documenting various aspects of local street, burial and musician culture and ritual. This included David Peters Montana, Big Chief of the Washitaw Nation Mardi Gras Indian Tribe. The two created an instant friendship, and Wendy was welcomed into the tribe as one of their own. During the weekend, one often found Wendy capturing the beading and sewing of suits with her camera and written narratives. She attended many second lines and was a permanent fixture at Super Sunday and St. Joseph’s Day.

In 2011, Wendy also became a weekly regular at Bullet’s Sports Bar, where she joined the group at Table 4. At Bullet’s, she photographed local musicians Kermit Ruffins, Shammar Allen and Travis “Trumpet Black” Hill, eventually photographing the cover of Kermit’s “We Partyin’ Traditional Style!” album.

That same year, Wendy helped organize the first annual Algiers Folk Art Festival with local woodcarver and mixed-media artist Charles Gillam. She was a longtime, avid supporter of local artists, many of whom she met at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

Prior to her glioblastoma diagnosis, Wendy had trained to be a medical advocate for victims of domestic violence with the New Orleans Family Justice Center.

Wendy is survived by her husband, Julian H. Good Jr., and daughters Allison Weiland Good (spouse Jay Sher) and Emily Louise Good (spouse Alec Greene), as well as parents Florence and Richard, sisters Ellen Williams and Susan Haskell and their families.

Julian, Allison and Emily would like to thank the doctors, nurses and caregivers in both New Orleans and Durham, NC, who provided Wendy with incredible care and became like family.

Private burial; memorial celebration details to come. Donations in Wendy’s name can be made to the New Orleans Musicians Clinic, New Orleans Family Justice Center and Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans.

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