Ms. Louise Reiss Rogas

Louise Reiss Rogas passed away peacefully at home the evening of October 2nd after suffering from a brain hemorrhage this past April. She was the wife of Gene Rogas, a wonderful artist and painter who died this past November and was step-mother to Gene’s two sons and their wives, Peter and Leslie Rogas and John and Ruth Rogas of Florida. Louise was the daughter of the late James J. and Alice Peak Reiss, the sister of the late Mary Alice Reiss Jackson and her husband Norcom, the late Catherine Reiss Plauche’, and the late Margaret Peak Reiss. She is survived by her brother James J. Reiss, Jr. and sister in law, Priscilla Eaves Reiss. Louise was known as “Antla” to her many nieces and nephews – James Reiss III and Erica, Lady Reiss Fuller and Chip, Crutcher Reiss, Elizabeth Jackson Tusa and Nick, Peggy Jackson Napier and Don, Buzz Jackson, the late Gordon Jackson and Charlotte, Dr. Reiss Plauche’ and Gina, Emilie Plauche’ Flink and Carl, and all of their children to whom she was a surrogate grandmother and also to all of her Van Horn family cousins. Louise was a graduate of the Newcomb Art School at Newcomb College and was an accomplished artist in her own right. However, after leaving Newcomb, Louise moved to Washington, D.C. where she worked for the CIA during the 1950’s and for awhile during that period was a houseguest of former U.S. Vice President Alben Barkeley and his family. Louise told neither her family nor closest friends what she had done during her time at the CIA except that her desk was next to that of Kermit Roosevelt who had assisted the British in the overthrow of Mohammed Mossadegh and the installation of the Shah as the ruler of Iran in 1953. Upon returning to New Orleans, Louise became the principal buyer for Town and Country, a fashionable ladies dress shop on St. Charles Ave. There, Louise specialized in the design and production of Mardi Gras ball gowns, wedding dresses and custom couture and ultimately moved to New York to be close to markets and to work with the designers Alfred Bosand and Sylvan Fox. Louise once said, “I never took a vacation. I absolutely loved that business.” But after almost thirty years in the fashion world, Louise and Gene retired to their home in the Garden District where Gene had his studio and where Louise held her salons with friends and neighbors who gathered to discuss books, art, politics, people and to share a good bottle or two of wine and Louise’s margheritas. She was an art aficionado and voracious reader of non-fiction but especially loved a good spy novel. She had an unquenchable enthusiasm for uncovering new ideas which she shared with others in an effort to foster their interests and dreams. Louise had a wicked sense of humor and a sharp wit and loved a good laugh. We all will miss her terribly.

A memorial gathering of friends and family for Louise will be held at her home on Saturday, October 15 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Louise has asked that donations be sent to the Newcomb Art Gallery, Tulane University, 6823 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118. THARP-SONTHEIMER FUNERAL HOME of Metairie is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed online at www.tharpsontheimer.com. For additional information, please call (504) 835-2341