Harriet Root Mathes

Harriet was a life-long resident of Metairie and a homemaker for 71 years. She attended St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School and Sacred Heart High School. She was a founding member of St. Angela Merici Catholic Church. Harriet “Grancie” spent a great deal of time nurturing her grandchildren and sharing “adventures” with them along with her husband Leon, like crabbing at Lake Pontchartrain and crayfishing at the Bonnet Carre Spillway. For many years Harriet and Leon enjoyed camping at Elmer’s Island, Fourchon and Grand Isle.

Harriet was preceded in death by her loving husband Leon W. Mathes, Sr., her parents Fred Root, Jr. and Rose Barrere Root, her brothers Frederick P. Root, Thomas F. Root, Earl P. (Ben) Root, and Ronald R. Root, and her sister Rose E. Root. She is survived by her sister Elaine R. Nicosia (Jack, deceased). Harriet is also survived by her two children Melissa Ruckert (Jim) and Leon W. Mathes, Jr. (Jeanne), five grandchildren Brett Mathes (Catherine), Leigh Ann Burt (Jason), Jimmy Ruckert (Ashley), Danielle Basilica (Tim), and Luke Hidalgo (Marci). She doted on her eight great-grandchildren Nathan and Lilyan Ruckert, Camille and Nolan Burt, Bradley and Adrienne Basilica, Henry Hidalgo and Shane Rooney.

Relatives and friends are invited to the Funeral Mass at St. Angela Merici Catholic Church, 835 Melody Dr., Metairie on Saturday, the 20th day of March at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be at the Church prior to the Mass from 9:30 AM until 11:00 AM. Face masks are required in Church. Interment will follow the Mass at Greenwood Cemetery, 5190 Canal Blvd., New Orleans. Our thanks to Judy Robert and Michele Duffy of Fidelis Care Group and the entire staff at Janice House for providing such good care of Harriet for the last four years and also thanks to Hospice Specialists of Louisiana. The guest book can be signed at www.leitzeaganfuneralhome.com.