Inge Helga Elsas

Inge H. Elsas passed away at her home on Wednesday, April 25, 2012. She was the beloved wife of the late Henry B. Elsas, mother of Lloyd B. Elsas, Byron Elsas, and Miriam Elsas Crandall. She was the daughter of the late Dr. Herbert and Irma Friedlander; grandmother of Rachel Elsas, Jesse B. and Suzannah Crandall; great grandmother of Blaise Elsas, and aunt of Susan Rosen and Irene Hirsch.

She was born in Hamburg, Germany on July 10, 1915, and has been a New Orleans resident since 1940 when she was asked to be supervisor of girls at the Jewish Children’s Home. Mrs. Elsas was a member of Temple Sinai and its sisterhood. She was also an active member of the Jewish Community Center, National Council of Jewish Women, Hadassah, Woldenberg Village, Touro Infirmary, Council on Aging, Jewish Federation, Tulane Alumni, Uptown Shepherd Center, AARP, Citizens for Quality Nursing Homes, Poydras Home Auxiliary, and Waldorf Education Association. Mrs. Elsas has been a long time employee of the Travelers Aid Society of Greater New Orleans, a religious schoolteacher, and community activist. She ably combined her professional qualities as a social worker with many volunteer positions throughout her life. She regarded the establishment of the first day care center for children with special needs in New Orleans, as well as throughout the state of Lousiana, with the State Department of Hospitals as her most rewarding endeavor. Her love for children, family, and older adults sum up her legacy. “When I am dead, tell the Earth I have loved her more than I have ever said.”

Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at 4:00 PM in Hebrew Rest Cemetery No. 3, 2100 Pelopidas St. at Frenchmen. A gathering at Temple Sinai, 6227 St. Charles Ave will follow interment. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Temple Sinai or to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be expressed online at www.tharpsontheimer.com. For information, please call Tharp-Sontheimer Funeral Home of Metarie, LA, (504) 835-2341.