Anna “Nancy” O’Donnell Simoneaux, devoted wife, mother and local activist, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, at the age of 91. Nancy grew up in the Broadmoor section of New Orleans, attended St. Matthias Elementary and McMain High schools, before earning a BBA degree in 1948 from Tulane University, her father and brother’s alma mater.
Having lost both of her parents, Agnes O’Brien and Hebert O’Donnell by the age of 10 years, Nancy’s maternal aunt, Theresa G. O’Brien, became a devoted caregiver of Nancy and her three older siblings, all now deceased. They are Catherine Theis, Marie Burke and Herbert O’Donnell. Important uncles in Nancy’s life, who provided love and financial support until she was an adult were George J. O’Brien and John A. O’Brien (husband of the late Nell Pomeroy O’Brien and father of the late Patricia Pomeroy O’Brien Strigel.)
In 1949, Nancy married Jules E. Simoneaux, Jr., who died in April 2018, and devoted many years of her life to raising four children: Jules III (wife, Ronda Rossley), Theresa “Terry” Simoneaux (husband, Robert D. Wyatt and son, Adam), Peter (wife, Linda and daughters, Marie and Nina) and Catherine Simoneaux.
Professionally, she was a part time librarian for ten years at St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Lakeview and a licensed insurance agent.
Most of her adult years were spent being active in community, political and charitable activities as a volunteer. She held office and/or Board positions in various organizations over the years, including Women for a Better Louisiana, the Milne Home School for Girls, Friends of Odyssey House and Lakeview Civic Improvement Association
She preferred at times to work individually behind the scenes writing letters and attending meetings. With these methods, she (with others assisting) played a part in many successful endeavors. Noteworthy and continuing accomplishments include, getting the neutral ground between West End Blvd. and Pontchartrain Blvd. dedicated as the New Basin Canal Park; stopping the erection of Benjamin Franklin High School at Fleur de Lis Park and championing building it on the University of New Orleans Campus; pressuring the N.O. Levee Board to finally close the hurricane protection gap between the U.N.O. levee and Franklin Ave levee; being instrumental (with assistance of the late Sen. John Hainkel and Rep. Peppi Bruneau) in changing an obsolete state law regarding the illegal disposal of a body from a “misdemeanor” under the State Secretary Code to a Felony offense (Act195).
Through her almost 30-year membership in Women for a Better Louisiana, Nancy was dedicated to assisting the N.O.P.D. Child Abuse Unit providing equipment for police and food, drinks, clothing, and toys for the children. Through Women for a Better Louisiana, Nancy also assisted in getting funding for State Police AFIS equipment Automatic Fingerprints Identification System. She and WBL were active many years in court watching in cases of child abuse.
One of her most cherished activist roles was as a Founding Member of the New Orleans’s Children’s Advocacy Center.
Prior to Hurricane Katrina, Nancy was a longtime member of St. Dominic Church in Lakeview. Post-Katrina, she and her late husband Jules moved to Metairie, and became regular worshipers at St. Philip Neri parish.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, at 12pm. A visitation will begin at 9am. Interment will follow at Metairie Cemetery.
In lieu of sending flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in Nancy’s name to The New Orleans Children's Advocacy Center at Children's Hospital, 200 Henry Clay Ave. New Orleans, 70118 Attn: New Orleans Children's Advocacy Center/Stacie Leblanc or Lorrie Brennan
The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com.
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