Sandra Sisung Heigle-Guarino

It is with broken hearts and profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved and cherished mother, “Sandy,” affectionately known to her family as “Honey.” She was a beloved mother and devoted daughter, wife, grandmother, and friend to so many. She believed in her faith, family, and friends; but most importantly, she loved being a mother.

She was a native New Orleanian and was born into humble beginnings on December 7, 1943, in the Irish Channel of New Orleans to an Irish mother, Ezilda (“Zelda”) Tully Sisung; and a German father, John R. Sisung, Sr., both of whom she cherished and adored and both of whom predeceased her. They lived in the 2100 block of Rousseau Street, New Orleans, until she, “Sandy”, married.

She was the beloved wife of Paul N. Heigle (who predeceased her) for 43 years and a resident of North Shore Beach, Slidell, Louisiana. She and Paul were co-owners of Paul’s Trophies in New Orleans East for over 20 years. She had two loving and devoted sons, Kerry G. Callaghan (Rebecca) and Kristopher J. Heigle (Colette). Eight wonderful grandchildren also survive her: Baleigh Resnick (Jonah), Ansleigh, Kamdyn, Aidyn, and Keihl Callaghan; and Elise (Jordan Hicks), Natalie, and Matthew Heigle. She leaves a lasting legacy through her grandchildren.

She was presently married to Salvador J. Guarino (“Sal”), her loving and devoted husband. She was blessed with three cherished sisters-in-law, Rose (Guarino) Deckleman, Vita (Guarino) Schilling, Sarah (Guarino) Isidore, and their families. Special thanks to Gerry Deckleman for her warm-heartedness and compassion throughout the years. Sandy and Sal thoroughly enjoyed their weekly lunches/outings with the family.

She was a “Daughter of the Irish Channel” and loved the Irish Channel people; she never forgot her roots, never forgot the people, and returned year after year for all the Irish Channel festivities, especially at Saint Michael School. She was extremely proud of her Irish heritage. She loved her twin churches, St. Alphonsus and St. Mary’s Assumption, where she would return for Father Seelos’ healing masses.

We will not tell you how she died; we will only tell you how she lived – she embraced life to the fullest. As a child, she attended Laurel McDonogh No. 1 Grade School. She loved school, and she loved learning. She then attended Sophie Wright Jr. High School, where she excelled in academics and sports. In her freshman year, she received the Outstanding Athlete Award, was the head cheerleader, was the Secretary of the Student Body, and was unanimously selected by the teachers of Sophie Wright to receive the John McDonogh Award that year. While she was in Jr. High, she also played CYO basketball and softball for then Redemptorist Coach Al Pontiff. She was always the youngest player on the team, and she remained friends with several of the other players until their passing.

She was a proud graduate of Alcee Fortier Senior High School, Class of 1962, where she once again excelled in academics and sports. She was the editor of the Tarpon Yearbook, voted an outstanding athlete by her peers, and was President of the Cooperative Education Class. She also received one of the most distinguished awards from the National Office Management Association (NOMA), the Miss Future Leader of Louisiana Award of 1962. She was the Chair-Extraordinaire of the Fortier Class of 1962 Reunion Committee for over 60 years and was the first to implement a four-day extravaganza for their 50th Reunion.

She received her Legal Secretary Certification from Tulane University through night courses and was a member of the New Orleans Legal Secretaries Association. She began her legal secretary profession with Richards & Hoepffner Law Firm and remained friends with her employers, Charles E. Richards, Sr. and J. Robert Hoepffner, for the remainder of their lives. She then went on to become the Director of the Reading Application and Practice Program in New Orleans East, an after-school reading tutorial program for children, administered by the Department of Education for the State of Louisiana, and lobbied for by then-Senator Nat Kiefer. She later implemented programs for senior citizens and added a certified GED Program. She was the first Legal Secretary/Legal Assistant to the Judges of the Traffic Division of First Parish Court for the Parish of Jefferson, a newly created division in 1980. She worked many years at the law firm of Sessions & Fishman and retired from the law firm of Lemle & Kelleher, LLP. Additionally, she attended Delgado Community College in Slidell, received a Certificate of Interior Decorating, and was a talented interior decorator who sought perfection and beauty in everything she undertook.

She was the first girls’ NORD Coordinator at Kenilworth Playground. She coached for multiple years at Kenilworth and, under her guidance, led her teams to multiple District and City Championships. In 1979, she received the Key to the City for her leadership and distinguished service to the youth of our city. She was also one of the originators of the Annual Potato Bowl held at Kenilworth Playground for boys’ football and girls’ volleyball. Additionally, she was the Chair of the Annual Potato Bowl Parade. Furthermore, she initiated the Ladies League in both volleyball and softball at Kenilworth Playground.

She was the first woman ever to serve as the Boys International Biddy Basketball Chairperson, having been appointed by its founder, Henry Dunk Beter. Through her efforts and those of many volunteers, she enlisted and brought together one of the most respected international tournaments ever held in the United States and in Louisiana, with participants from Finland, Sweden, Puerto Rico, and all areas of the United States. The manual she prepared outlining job descriptions for every volunteer working on the tournament is still used today by the Biddy Basketball Association.

She was an active member of the North Shore Beach Homeowners Association, having been its Program Director for many years in the 1990’s. She loved her home on North Shore Beach, loved the sunsets and wildlife, fishing and crabbing in the lake, and entertaining family and guests at her home.

She was a Jesuit Bluejay Mom, having worked on Jesuit’s first Boys’ Hope Home, the Bluejay Bazaar and Gala & Auction. Throughout her life, she tirelessly supported her two sons. She cheered their successes and was always there to provide support.

One of her outstanding virtues was her generosity, which permeated all depths of her life. She was caring, supportive, and kind. These attributes fostered wonderful, long-lasting friendships; some of them dating back to when she was a little girl. She made a difference in people’s lives. She and her husbands were avid travelers and made many friends in distant lands. In fact, her first Christmas gift would always arrive from Finland two weeks before Christmas, from cherished friendships formed while traveling.

She was never afraid to speak her mind; she was comfortable in her own being and was ever so colorful. She was a natural-born leader, and over the past decade, she has given her children and grandchildren countless stories and immeasurable love by which she will always be remembered.

She was deeply devoted to Jesus and the Blessed Mother, and her faith throughout her life. Please join us in honoring our mother on September 22, 2026, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 444 Metairie Road, Metairie, Louisiana 70005, with Visitation from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., immediately followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m.

A “Private” Family burial will follow at Lake Lawn Park & Mausoleum in New Orleans.

Flowers can be sent to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 444 Metairie Road, Metairie, Louisiana 70005 on the morning of September 22, 2026; delivery between 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.