Noelie Bertoniere Pfisterer

Noelie Anna Bertoniere Pfisterer passed away peacefully on December 24, 2022, the morning of her 94th birthday, in the home built by her loving husband of 39 years, Louis M. Pfisterer, Jr. Noelie was born on December 24, 1928, in New Orleans, Louisiana, the only child of Esther and Sidney R. Bertoniere.

She grew up in the Esplanade area of the city and spent much of her childhood playing with her first cousin “Jack” Bertoniere. When her mother became very ill, Noelie was cared for by her devoted Aunt Aimée “Nainaine” and her grandmother “Mémère.” From an early age, going to Church and Sunday School, caring for others, and doing her best in school were important in her life. As a young girl, Noelie knew she wanted to be a nurse. She graduated from John McDonogh High School in 1946 and Touro School of Nursing in 1949. At the age of 19, while still in nursing school, she began taking care of patients in the hospital. She had lifelong friendships with some of her classmates, and her friendships developed while working at Touro were among some of her closest. At the age of 49, she returned to college and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Loyola University, a testament to her belief in the importance of education and her dedication to Nursing. She proudly practiced nursing at Touro Infirmary for over 50 years, primarily as an orthopedic nurse and later in the head injury and stroke rehabilitation unit.

Affectionately known as “Bert” to her friends and colleagues and “Granny Bert” to her grandchildren, Noelie was a constant and reliable presence in the lives of many around her. Despite being faced with innumerable challenges and hardships throughout her life, including caring for both a prematurely ill mother and husband and a special needs child, she was determined to care for her family, patients, and those who depended on her, and did so graciously without complaint. She was truly a strong, generous, and self-sacrificing woman. She led a practical, “no-nonsense” and undeniably compassionate life guided by her unwavering faith in God, love for her family, and moral fortitude. As a longtime member of Grace Lutheran Church, Noelie rarely missed a Sunday service. A favorite tradition was attending the candlelit Christmas Eve service with her entire family. She enjoyed the opportunities she had to travel. She loved to read and to play Bridge well into her into her 80s.

Noelie is survived by her daughters Janice E. Pfisterer, Dara Pfisterer Smith (Dale), and Gwyn Pfisterer; grandchildren Blane Gaubert, Jr. (Rebecca), Jennifer Gaubert Gumpert (Ray), Brandon Gaubert, Aimée Gaubert, Kaylin Jones Gettis (Edward), and Ian Pfisterer; and many great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; her infant daughter; her husband, Louis M. Pfisterer, Jr; and her son, Louis “Tracy” M. Pfisterer, III.

The family would especially like to thank the Passages Hospice staff and sitters Cindy, Sandra, Darlene, and Catherine who cared for her with kindness and dignity.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 6, 2023, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m., Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, 70124. Interment will be in Metairie Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, charitable gifts in memory of Noelie may be made to: Grace Lutheran Church at gracenola.org or the ARC of Greater New Orleans (please call 504-708-1444 to direct gifts to The Residential Support Services of ArcGNO).