Elizabeth DeWeese Neilson

Amanda Elizabeth Deweese "Lib" Neilson passed away on Monday July 15, 2019 at the age of 99. She was born at home in Philadelphia, Mississippi 2 hours after her mother entertained a huge crowd of friends from the church. She was the beloved wife of the late Jack H. Neilson, Sr. Daughter of the late Albert DeWeese and Martha Myatt DeWeese, she was the last survivor of 8 children. Loving mother of Elizabeth Neilson, Martha Neilson, Anne Neilson, Margaret Neilson Arbour, and the late Susan Neilson Plauche and Jack H. Neilson, Jr. Adoring grandmother of Katherine Leefe Johnston, Kibbe Leefe Horne, Emily Plauche Maxwell, Charles Plauche, Michael Plauche, Caroline Arbour Willmon, Thomas Neilson Arbour, Courtney Arbour, Dr. Megan Arbour Stryker, and Sarah Neilson.

She was one of the longest continuing members of Rayne Memorial Church, working with all the children's programs there and was a driving force behind the nursery school. Mrs. Neilson, known to her grandchildren as Mimi, was very instrumental in the founding of Grace House. She was also a member of the Orleans Club and served as President of the Board of St. Anna's Asylum among her many civic activities.

Lib was sent to Ward Belmont for finishing school before attending LSU where she continued as a leader. She was president of Kappa Delta, played golf, loved the football games until the end. Graduated with honors. Headed the Bundles for Britain movement at LSU. Both of her parents died while she was at LSU. So after graduation she went to live with her best friend in Mississippi. She was soon engaged to a lovely man stationed in I think Brazil or some place exotic that my memory will not allow me to dredge up. Jack Neilson was dating Lib's friend's little sister. He came over every day. The little sister made the mistake of leaving for college. After she left, Jack continued to visit. Their romantic bond was pretty hot from what Lib told me as I would cringe and run away (as most children would do). Lib and Jack were quite a romantic couple. They broke off their engagements to others and married in 1945 while Jack was serving in the Navy.

Mimi was a true steel magnolia who lived her long life with grace and as much dignity as one can muster after losing two children in less than a year. She loved her church and her children and grandchildren. She also loved chocolate in any form, coffee ice cream, tomato aspic which her dear friend made, and even though she rarely ate red meat, it turned out that Mimi loved lamb. It is believed she would have chased down and eaten Mary's Little Lamb if necessary. She was a great cook and had a healthy appetite which is probably why she endured the indignities of old age with such strength. After her stroke her diet was greatly limited but she kept a stash of salt and Lord knows what else in her room. Her sense of humor was always in residence along with her faith.

She raised 6 children and did not smother one of them although she did cut their hair while they slept. Oddly enough the little ones never asked why they went to sleep with a pony tail and awoke with a buster brown hair cut.

Mimi is love personified. She will be missed by so many.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service in the Chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Monday, July 22, 2019 at 2:00PM. Interment will follow in Metairie Cemetery. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 1:00PM.

The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com.