Jean Celli Matkin

On July 7, 2025, at the age of 93, Jean Celli Matkin peacefully joined her late husband of 49 years, singer and broadcaster, Charlie Matkin, in the Heavenly Kingdom. She was the daughter of the late Dr. Ernest Celli and Mrs. Margaret “Peggy” Celli. Jean is survived by her son, Judge Mark Doherty (Ret.); his wife, Frances Olivier Doherty; her grandchildren, Meaghan Doherty, M.D. (Steven Fielkow, M.D.), John F. Doherty (Luren Kim), Catherine Doherty (Paulina Balder); and her great-granddaughter, Claire Pearl Fielkow. She is also survived by her sister, Margaret Ann Celli Tamberella; her nieces, Erin Tamberella, Christy Tamberella Wright, Melissa Tamberella; grandniece, Kayla R. Tamberella; and grandnephew, Caleb J. Tamberella. Additionally, she is survived by her niece, Connie Pearce of Mobile, Alabama; grand-nephews, Danner and Benjamin Pearce; and grandniece, Amy Pearce.

As a lifelong New Orleanian, Jean's personal and professional life was devoted to music, the arts, and those she loved. She graduated with Honors from Newcomb College and attended Columbia University for her master's degree. She began her career in modelling before going into radio and television. She became New Orleans' first female weather anchor on WWL-TV in 1968 with a broadcast called "The Weather with Jean" that ran for two years. A gifted musician, she served as Resident Harpist at the Mariott Hotel and was an accomplished pianist. In her later years, she and Charlie owned and operated the Old World Inn, entertaining international visitors with their musical talents, intelligence, and humor. A classically trained concert pianist, she mesmerized her audience with her musicality and beauty. Family events often ended with Jean and Charlie leading songs with Jean on the piano playing in whatever key was needed to accommodate the limited ability of the others. She will be missed.

The family would like to thank Melanie Ursin, Ciba Goodich, Genelle Thomas, and Cathy Woodard who generously and lovingly cared for Jean in her final years, as well as the kind Hospice doctors and staff at Ochsner. A service was held on Friday, July 11, 2025. The burial was private.

The family requests that donations be made to the Newcomb School of Music. Please email [email protected] or call (504) 865-5271.