Hattie Irma Lorio Fraser

Hattie Irma Lorio Fraser died peacefully among her family on October 13, 2021 in New Orleans, just one month short of her 97th birthday. Hattie was very active with her art, civic activities, and travel up until her last days. Hattie Irma Lorio was born in Belle Helene, Louisiana November 11, 1924. Her family’s association with the sugar cane industry in South Louisiana and her deep cultural connection to New Orleans became a lifelong love affair for the history of New Orleans and Louisiana. Hattie was a walking encyclopedia of everything New Orleans including culture, food, artwork, and preservation of New Orleans. Hattie was an active member of the Orleans Club. Her other recent civic leadership activities included being President of St Mary’s Dominican College Alumni, President of New Orleans Art Association, President of Freedom Foundation Valley Forge New Orleans, President of New Orleans Fine Arts, President of Citizens to Preserve the Constitution, President of Lighthouse for the Blind, President of Salvation Army New Orleans, President of New Orleans Goodwill Auxiliary, President of Uptown Shepard Center, President of Odyssey House, and President of Caledonian Society New Orleans. Hattie was a natural athlete, later in life she enjoyed tennis and golf at Audubon Golf Club. Hattie graduated from Dominican College in 1943 and went to work at New Orleans Public Service in 1945, where she met the love of her life John Cran Fraser, Sr. Hattie and her late husband of 47 years, John Sr., were lifelong members of the Southern Yacht Club and were both avid sailors. Throughout their marriage, they enjoyed exploring Lake Pontchartrain and its bayous, including the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the Panhandle of Florida on their Racer/Cruiser sailboat, Rhynie. This devotion for sailing and spending time on the water led way to Hattie being able to hone in on her true passion; art and painting. Hattie was a very accomplished painter, having her artwork shown in a number of locations throughout the South. Her favorite subject matters included Louisiana bayous, fishing boats, sailboats, New Orleans cottages, islands along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, family portraits, and from her Caribbean island travels. She enjoyed painting Louisiana and its natural beauty from memory.

Hattie is survived by her son, John Cran Fraser Jr, his wife Lisa C Fraser, her three grandchildren Deane Cran Fraser, his wife Alex LaChance Fraser, Sean Cooley Guidry, his fiancée, Jennifer A Harris, Sophie Alice Fraser, her fiancé Thomas A. Cantey and her great grandson Robert Deane Fraser.

Hattie was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to in lieu of flowers, to the New Orleans Art Association.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, October 20th at Holy Name of Jesus Church. Visitation for family begins at 9:30 am, followed by a public visitation at 10:00 am and Mass at 11:00 AM. Please wear your finest pearls in honor of Hattie.

The family invites you to share fond memories and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com