Danella Primeaux Hero

May 19, 1929 – January 11, 2015

Danella Primeaux Hero, known as Dannie, passed away from natural causes on Sunday, January 11, 2015. She was a loving wife for 60 years to George A. Hero III, a devoted mother of 5 and a friend to all who knew her. She was a woman of compassion and grace, quick wit and determined spirit.

She was an accomplished writer, poet and television producer. Her life was filled with a love of words, art and culture. A graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1950, she pioneered as one of the first female writers and producers in the early days of television at WDSU-TV with The Midday Show. She continued to write and produce television documentaries and artwork throughout her life. She published a collection of short stories, poems, book reviews, and interviews in Louisiana literary journals. She was also a Southern Literature scholar teaching at University College at Tulane University and presented scholarly papers, book reviews, and original writings to the Quarante Club.

She served on the Boards of Directors of the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival; Family Service of Greater New Orleans; New Orleans Video Access Corporation; Associated Catholic Charities; Council of Arts for Children; Volunteers of the New Orleans Museum of Art; mayoral appointment to the Board of Trustees of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities; President of the Women’s Committee of the New Orleans Philharmonic Symphony; Chairman of the New Orleans Symphony Book Fair; President of the New Orleans Chapter of Young Audiences.

She was born to Nelson J. Primeaux and Ada Cowand in New Orleans in 1929 and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana. She lived most of her adult life in Belle Chasse, La. She is survived by her husband and her children George A. Hero IV (Elaine Boos), Christopher Hero (Dorothy Steinicke), Danella Hero Halle (Michael Halle), Anna Hero (Buster Dragon), and Eugenie Hero Jaffe (Michael Jaffe); and nine grandchildren: Megan Hero, Emily Hero, Madeline Hero, David Halle, Samuel Halle, Jacob Halle, Andrea Dragon, Jack Jaffe, Lily Jaffe, and step-grandson, Charlie Mylie. Sister of the late N. Jay Primeaux and aunt of Victoria Leblanc of New Orleans and Nelson Primeaux of San Jose, CA.

She welcomed everyone she met with an open mind and heart. Her gracious poise allowed all who knew her to feel as if they, too, were part of her family.

Services will be held at Lakelawn Metairie Cemetery on Thursday, January 15 with visitation at 9am and mass at 11am followed by burial.