Carrie Ragusa Saia

Carrie Ragusa Saia passed away in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on June 3, 2015. Born on November 9, 1923 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she was 91 years old. She was a devoted, wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother and community enthusiast. Her passion for hard work, fund-raising and helping others encompassed her life - beginning with many years of service to the Catholic High School Mothers' Club. She was inducted into the Catholic High School Hall of Fame in 1977 in recognition for her service to the school. As State Executive Director for the Louisiana Association for Retarded Children, Carrie formed an office in the 64 parishes and authored a bi-monthly newsletter named the "Beacon." She was involved in state as well as federal legislation for the advancement of care for the handicapped, as well as coordinated the introduction of the Special Olympics in Louisiana over her 35 year career. She served for 17 years on the Baton Rouge Metro Airport Commission and, in her retirement years, she served as the Veterans Post 38 Women's Auxiliary President. She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph B. Ragusa and Josephine Vince Ragusa of Baton Rouge, her husband Russell Roy Saia, Sr., her son, Russell Roy, Jr. "Butch" Saia, her sisters, Marie Ragusa DeBenedetto of Port Allen and Kay Francis of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is survived by daughter, Carolyn "Jeannie" Saia and son, Samuel Joseph "SJ" Saia and wife Amber. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Russell R. Saia, III, Stacey Saia Gabor and husband Tim, Rusanne Jourdan, Karen Jourdan, Bradley J. Saia and wife Rachel, Samuel "Blake" Saia and wife Melissa and Sydney A. Saia. She also leaves behind 13 great-grandchildren, her devoted sister, Margaret Ragusa Bologna and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church will be on Friday, June 5th from 8:30 am until mass at 10:00 am, conducted by Father Cleo Milano. Interment will follow at Roselawn Cemetery, 4045 North Street. Pallbearers will be Russell Saia, III, Bradley Joseph Saia, Samuel "Blake" Saia and Benny Saia. Honorary Pallbearers are Gary McConnell and Stephen Joseph Saia. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Battle Against Autism, Attn: Jessica, 11455 Airline Hwy., Baton Rouge, LA 70816 and "4theKids" charity benefiting Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital.