Madeline Gabosh LaPorte

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold A. LaPorte, her parents, Walter J. and Madeline Carey Gabosh, her sisters, Helen Winter, Margaret Mary Gabosh and Verla Mae Abadie, her niece, Carey Winter Dazet, and her infant son, Walter Harold LaPorte.

She is survived by her loving daughters, Midge Epstein (Richard) of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Wendy Whittaker (Scott), and five devoted grandchildren – Rachel Jones (Adam), Jenna Whittaker, and Lauren, Robert and Victoria Epstein, and many beloved nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews, who all tenderly called her “Pip.”

Born July 3, 1923, in New Orleans, Madeline graduated from Sophie B. Wright High School and Maybin Business School. She was among the first women ever to work in the loans and discounts department at Whitney Bank during World War II. On May 5, 1951, Madeline married the love of her life, Harold. They were married for 51 beautiful years until his death in 2003.

For many years, Madeline was a parishioner at Resurrection of our Lord in New Orleans East, where she enthusiastically volunteered countless hours. Along with the late Msgr. Francis Boeshans, she led the inaugural parish pledge drive. As soon as her two daughters began attending the school, she became a fixture there as well. She ultimately became the school secretary from 1974-1986. When she retired from Resurrection, the entire school celebrated her many years of service with a tribute called “Mrs. LaPorte Day.” She would often describe her days at Resurrection as some of the happiest times of her life.

Madeline also served as President of the Resurrection Mothers’ Club and as an officer in the Council of Catholic School Cooperative Clubs (CCSCC), one of the oldest Archdiocesan parent clubs in the nation. Madeline received the prestigious Order of St. Louis medallion in 1975, the first year it was awarded, in recognition of her leadership and dedicated service to the Church and the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Madeline and Harold moved to Metairie in 1994, and they became faithful parishioners of St. Philip Neri. They loved their new home, which brought them closer to their daughter and many extended family members. Madeline loved playing cards, working puzzles, feeding the birds, collecting stamps, and spending time with her grandchildren. Her beautiful blue eyes, tender smile and selfless heart will be greatly missed by all those who knew her.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation at St. Philip Neri Church, 6500 Kawanee Ave., Metairie, on Saturday, September 28, 2019, beginning at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at noon. Interment to follow at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum, 5454 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans.

To view and sign the family guestbook, please visit lakelawnmetairie.com.