Ann Lamantia Mentz died peacefully in her sleep on February 18, 2019 in her home in New Orleans at the age of 83. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Judge Henry Alvan Mentz, Jr., who died in 2005. Her parents, Charles Vincent Lamantia and Anna Maria Stechmann Lamantia, and her sister, Carli Cooper (John), also preceded her.
Ann was born in Houston, Texas, and moved to New Orleans the following year. She lived most of her early life in Hammond, Louisiana, and graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University. She and Henry reared five children in Hammond but returned to New Orleans in 1982 upon her husband’s elevation to the federal bench. Ann was very active in many organizations including President of the Salvation Army Advisory Board and a board member of the Louisiana Museum Foundation, the Southeastern Louisiana University Foundation, and Lighthouse for the Blind Auxiliary. Ann also served in the Military and Hospitallers Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. She was a member of the Orleans Club, Le Petit Salon, and the Ruth McEnery Stuart Clan.
Survivors include her five children: daughter, Ann Bridewell Mentz, grandson, Medlock Harbison (Sarah); daughter, Carli McConnell Mentz Tessier (Frank), granddaughter, Dr. Elizabeth Tessier Crescenzo (Joe), great-grandchildren Joseph and William, and grandson, Frank Andrew Tessier, Jr.; son, Dr. Henry Alvan Mentz III (Paula), grandchildren, Henry Mentz, James Mentz, Philip Mentz, and Margaret Mentz; son, Charles Frederick Mentz (Holly), grandchildren Meredith Mentz, Mason Mentz, and Hayes Mentz; and son, George Sherwood Mentz (Dr. Ginger), grandchildren Madeleine Mentz, Anna Mentz, and Claire Mentz.
The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial, celebrating the life of Ann Lamantia Mentz, will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Boulevard in New Orleans. Friends may visit the funeral home beginning at 12:00 noon. A short graveside service followed by interment will be held at Grace Memorial Episcopal Church Cemetery, 100 West Church Street in Hammond on Sunday, February 24, 2019 at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, Ann requested that donations be made to the charity of your choice or that “a good deed be done.” Please visit and sign the guestbook available online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com
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