Marguerite Mangin Graffeo passed away November 26, 2020 surrounded by her family. “Rita” was a life-long native of New Orleans, daughter of the late Marcel Mangin and the late Marguerite Badolato Mangin. She was the sister of the late Earl L. Mangin, the late Marcel Mangin, Jr. and Gloria Albert.
The matriarch of the Graffeo family, Rita was a huge presence in her family’s lives, and it will be hard to imagine a world without her. Rita was the heart of the family’s three generation plumbing business, Pete’s Plumbing and Heating, Inc.; and an amazing cook of both Italian and French cuisines at every holiday, a tradition she passed down to her children and grandchildren.
Rita will be missed by her children: June Graffeo Babin (John Babin), JoAnn Graffeo Forsyth (Herbert Forsyth), Peter Graffeo, Jr. (Judith Graffeo) and Charles Graffeo (Suzanne Graffeo); her grandchildren: Philip Garrett, Jr., Eric Garrett, Christine White Lynch, Kirk Garrett, Brent Garrett, Angela Garrett Becnel, Christopher Forsyth, Allison Graffeo, Marc Graffeo, Amy Graffeo, Peter Raymond Graffeo, Nicholas Graffeo, Michael Graffeo, Samuel Graffeo, Henry Graffeo, Melissa Babin Velasquez; and 13 great-grandchildren. Rita is also survived by Peter Graffeo, Sr.
Rita was a graduate of Annunciation High School, and the founder and owner of Atlas Travel Agency. She founded the Elysians Social Club in New Orleans, starting many life-long connections among friends.
Due to COVID restrictions, services will be private and limited to immediate family. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Pius Catholic Church: 6666 Spanish Fort Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70124.
The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com.
