Doris Cerise

Doris Mae Karter Cerise died at her home on Monday, April 1, 2013, and joined her husband of over 65 years in everlasting peace at the age of 87 with her family at her side. Mrs. Cerise was the mother of three children, Elmo John Cerise, Jr. (Bobbie), Cynthia Cerise Pellerin Brothers who died on November 8, 2005, and Karter Cerise Potts (Ewell), grandchildren, Ashley Marie Cerise Riley (Lon), Monique Andree Cerise, Elmo J. Cerise, III (Angela), Brock Elliot Pellerin, Casey Cerise Pellerin Westguard (Mark), Corrie Wright Pellerin, Katherin Karter Pellerin,, Ewell Cardwell Potts, IV and Cerise Katherine Potts, and great grandchildren, Keegan Riley, Avery Cerise, Harry Westguard, Oliver Westguard, Eleanore Cerise, and Gavin Lyons. She is also preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Louis John Karter.

Mrs. Cerise attended Ursuline Academy and thereafter majored in mathematics at Newcomb College where she was also the President of the Delta Chapter of Phi Mu Sorority. On July 10, 1946 she married Dr. Elmo J. Cerise and lived for a short period of time in the Panama Canal Zone while Dr. Cerise was stationed there with the Navy. Thereafter Mrs. Cerise lived and raised her family in New Orleans until her death. She had many interests including fine antiques and eventually established Sixpence Antiques on Magazine Street with her friends, Glen Eagan, Betty Fowler, Margie Hogan, Susan Schoen and Elaine Derbes. Petite Pence followed Sixpence and likewise spread to the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain. She enjoyed traveling with Dr. Cerise and traveled the world with him and other members of the Southern Surgical Society. Although never in the limelight, Mrs. Cerise was involved in many philanthropic efforts helping others and thoroughly enjoyed volunteering with the Gift Shop at Chateau de Notre Dame. Mrs. Cerise often played Bridge with her friends for many, many years and was a member of the Orléans Club, La Petite Theatre and the Southern Yacht Club.

Mrs. Cerise was a devout Catholic having been a parishioner of St. Pius X Parish, Holy Name of Jesus Parish and thereafter St. Alphonsus Parish attending Mass on a daily basis and enjoyed her association with the Order of St. Lazarus.

Funeral Services will be held at St. Mary Assumption Church in St. Alphonsus Parish on Thursday, April 4, 2013 with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. and a Mass celebrating her life at 11:00 a.m. Private interment in Metairie Cemetery with Elmo, and her parents. Condolences may be offered at www.leitzeaganfuneralhome.com