Adelaide Tutt Charbonnet

Adelaide Tutt Charbonnet, age 93, beloved wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, was born on July 12, 1922 and died peacefully at home on on July 25, 2015. A native of New Orleans, she is predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Clayton Joseph Charbonnet, parents Elma Doize and William Frazier Tutt, sister, Warreene T. Dart, brother, William F. Tutt, III, daughter, Lisette Ann Charbonnet, son-in-law James J. O’Connor, special family friends Stella Porche and Winnie Kemp. Survivors include sons: Dr. Clayton Joseph, Jr. D.D.S. (Karen), William Tutt, and Donald Gilbert Charbonnet (Jamie) and daughters: Adelaide “CheeChee” C. O’Connor, Suzanne C. Colledge (Bill), Ninette C. Eastman (Perry) and Alyce C. Thornhill (Hunt). She was “Adee” to 28 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.

A lifelong parishioner of Holy Name of Jesus Parish, she graduated from Holy Name of Jesus School and later served as president of the Mothers Club and Scout leader for both Cub and Girl Scout troops, president of the Altar Society, member of the Parish Council, and received the Order of St. Louis medal. Her strong devotion to the Blessed Mother brought her to serve with the Mission Harvesters, Eucharistic Missionaries of St. Dominic, Ladies of the Madonna, Les Dames, Children of Mary Sodality and a Board member of the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center, where she was honored as an outstanding volunteer. She and Clayton dedicated their time to the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem for which she received the Silver Palm for service. Adelaide was a founding Board member of Friends of City Park, served on the boards of the Orleans Club, NOMA Women’s Volunteer Committee, Sophie Gumbel Guild, and Lighthouse of the Blind Auxiliary. She was a member of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge; Daughters of the American Revolution, Louisiana Colonials, Spring Fiesta, Auxiliaries of Maison Hospitaliere , Children’s Hospital and Chateau de Notre Dame; Garden League, Friends of Longue Vue Gardens, Creole Investment Club, Phi Chi Pi, The Twenty-Five Club, Women’s committee of New Orleans Symphony. She served as president of St. Michael’s School Guild and co-chaired the Blue Rose Ball. She received the St. Elizabeth’s Volunteer Activist award.

She enjoyed spending time sewing, gardening, and playing Mahjongg; but her greatest joy was being a Mom and raising her family (and their friends). To her children she was a loving mother, always a good listener and ready to help when needed. She will be missed but leaves our family with a lifetime of memories. The family gives special thanks to her loving caregivers Shawanda Lyles, Ava Noten , Cynthia King and the staff from Passages hospice. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. with visitation to begin at 9:00 a.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Church 6367 St. Charles Ave, New Orleans. Interment to follow in Metairie Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The Archdiocese Spirituality Center (2501 Maine Ave. Metairie, La. 70003), Holy Name of Jesus Church (6220 LaSalle Place, NOLA 70118) or the charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.