Winnie Grigsby Galarza

She was a homemaker and worked as a telephone operator for Bellsouth and Gateway Hotel. She was also an apartment and a dry clean owner.

She was a parishioner of St. James Major Catholic church and was a member of the Central Association of the Miraculous medal. She loved gardening and flower arranging, serving as a past president of the Pontchartrain Garden Club and as a flower show judge beginning in 1975. Winnie was artistically inclined; she did eight years of an oil painting study, attended Loyola University for two sessions on interior design from 1967-1968, and had a general enjoyment of arts and craft. She enjoyed being part of the Monday Bears Canasta Group.

Winnie was a loving person who enjoyed many hobbies as listed previously, but most importantly, she loved her family. Her family will remember her fondly-- as well as the JC Penny gift cards for birthdays and Christmas.

Winnie is preceded in death by her husband, Victor Galarza; parents, Jess Grigsby and Maggie V. Grigsby; sister, Cora May Odaware (Phillip); and brother William G. Grigsby.

She is survived by her son, Joseph Crucia, III (Carolyn); sisters, Shirley G. Toney (Huey), Bobbie G. Robertson (Cleason), Connie G. Cooper (Ronnie), and Betty G. Brister (Frank); grandchildren, Lili Guilbault (Beau), Michael Crucia (Timmory), and Brian Crucia (Ashley); and great-grandchildren, Lauren Guilbault, Justin Guilbault, Colin Crucia, August Crucia, and Connor Crucia.

The family would like to give special thanks to Gloria Barber, Wilma McCaskill, and Elizabeth Dorman. They would also like to give special thanks to Betty Parker and Gertrude Pernell of Academy House and the staff of Passages Hospice.

There will be a graveside service on Friday, April 24, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. at All Saints Mausoleum, which is on the grounds of Metairie Cemetery, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70124.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association.