It's been a year already.  Nell was such a loving and compassionate person.  She was a mother to many and loved to spoil everyone with her fabulous meals.  Her home was always open to everyone and her smile was contagious.  I know that Suzanne and Courtney miss her so much;; but I am sure they are always remembering her with her "Nell's Stories".  We all had the greatest memories.  One of my memories that I want to share today is when Nell took my daughters, Amy and Nicole and myself to the Zoo in New Orleans.  Well Nicole wanted to ride the camel and I was way too scared to ride with her.  Nell actually got on the camel with Nicole and they rode around the Zoo.   Now understand that Nell was actually 48 years old.  She was unbelievable but most of all, she was so easy to love !!!!

From the moment I entered this world, my Grammy was there for everything. She never missed a single game, award ceremony, or birthday—she always showed up! She was genuinely interested in every detail of my life, making me feel like the most important person in the world whenever she talked to me. She gave me constant reminders of how much she loved me and how proud she was of me. 

In her last few years, Grammy lived with my mom and me. Coming home to share stories with her was one of my greatest joys. Even if they were about people she didn’t know, she listened with such excitement and curiosity, always on the edge of her seat. We watched Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy together every day — she got me hooked on the game shows at a very young age. The excitement she got when I got an answer right was the best, and those moments became some of my most cherished memories.

I am so grateful that she was there to see me graduate from college and start my career as a teacher. Every day, she listened to stories about my students, sharing in my enthusiasm and celebrating every achievement with me. I couldn’t have asked for a more loving and involved grandmother. Her love and pride in me were expressed daily, leaving no doubt in my mind of her feelings.

I miss her deeply, and watching our game shows isn’t the same without her sitting next to me. But I take comfort in knowing she’s in Heaven, watching over me. I have the best angel there is now, and her love will continue to guide me for the rest of my life.

Going to visit Aunt Ta was always enjoyable!
She loved art, as do I, so it was fun to talk about her paintings of horses and admire her dog statue by the fireplace.  She loved that dog and it tickled her that I did also!
And then there was the tour of her yard with her beautiful flowers and all of the birds she loyally fed each day.  Visiting her was stepping back from busyness to the comfort of her house and her welcoming, loving self.
Ta, you are literally sunshine to me - and goodness.  I will treasure your smile and the sparkle that was always in your beautiful eyes each time we talked.

I am writing this a week removed from Mother's Day... the first that I did not send a present via mail from Texas or called "my beloved Ta" to wish her a Happy Mother's Day.   She was such a significant part of my upbringing and I feel so blessed to have had her love me my entire life without judgment.  Her kindness, sincerity, sense of humor, and humility defined who she was.  But most of all she loved completely.   She is ever present still in my life.  Every time I drive, I can think this is the person with her patience taught me how to drive.   Every time I go to the grocery store or cook a delicious meal, I can celebrate that I developed the same passion as my Ta.   Every time I use my quick wit, often times in jury selection, I can think we shared the same talent.  The humility I did not inherit, but so appreciated this quality of hers ... but worry that she did not realize how much I cherished her as my second mother.  While last weekend was difficult, as Suzanne , Courtney and I sat on the lakefront with the sunset at our back laughing and sharing, I felt her presence with us and take comfort in the Joy she must have felt looking down upon us.  I love you Ta ... my sadness is tempered knowing that you are now with your mother and I know forever in my heart.

My dear friend!  I miss you so very much.

I think of all the wonderful fun times we enjoyed!  

How you loved to cook and always so warmly invited your many friends for dinner!

God Bless  You! I will see you soon!

Your friend,
Lucille

Dearest Mama,
It has taken me a while to put into words the loss I feel since you went to Heaven.  As much as I know you are at peace and healthy with God…I miss you here with me.  

   I thank Him everyday that he gave me a chance to make your last years comfortable, happy and safe with us.  The wonderful memories we made as roomies will carry me through.  Watching our birds, clipping our flowers, you coaching me as I cooked, were something we wouldn’t have done together if God hadn’t sent you to live with me.  Although “going to Genoa City” by myself is hard…I find myself talking about it with you for the whole hour just knowing what you would be saying about it.  

   As soon as you slipped away, I pictured your first moment in Heaven being wrapped in your mother’s arms for the first time and that made it a little easier.  You must have felt so much love from her like I have felt from you my whole life.  This Sunday is Mother’s Day and I know it will be a tough one for me…but knowing you are healthy, happy and whole in the arms of God will make it just a little easier. I love you so much, Mama.  Until we are together again…Love Sue

I loved watching Jeopardy with Aunt Ta, Aunt Suzanne, and Courtney.  She loved Jeopardy, which influenced my love for the show today.  Whenever we were sitting around the TV watching and playing along with the show, we would try to see if we knew the answers.  She would say I was so smart if I knew an answer, and she never commented if I was wrong.  
On Christmas breaks we would spend most of the day over at Aunt Suzanne’s farm with all the horses.  After that, we would head over to Aunt Ta’s.  After a long day of playing with the horses we were exhausted and hungry.  As soon as we got to her house, Aunt Ta was waiting with snacks and food prepared for us.  When we ate, she would have Leah, Courtney, and me sit at the kid’s table, even though Courtney was about six years older than me.  She had Courtney sit with us to not only keep us company, but to make sure we knew we weren’t forgotten.
Lastly, I will always remember how she would wait for us and would be ready to greet us whenever we arrived.  I remember walking into her house and seeing Aunt Ta sitting in her recliner overjoyed to see us walk through the door.  She would immediately strike up a conversation on how we’d been and was very focused on our stories, soaking up every little detail.

Before I met Ta and Suzanne, I heard the stories!  And the stories were so wonderful.  Stories of the most amazing aunt ever and of her daughter who was sister, not cousin.   Over the years, I added my own stories, and we added people, too – precious Courtney who we all love so!  
It is difficult to pick a story or memory that tells you exactly who someone is – what they mean to you.  There are so many and there is love in each one.  But I settled on this – 
What I loved especially was to go to Ta’s house and leave with armfuls of books and with one of her sweaters, too, because she thought I was cold.  
I loved her generosity and her care and concern.  I loved that she was interested in me – interested enough to know the kinds of books I read and the food I liked.  So many times, we only skim the surface of our relationships.  Ta didn’t.  She dug right in, and she decided to know you and to be known.  That is an amazing experience – to know and be known.
I will be grateful always for Ta’s love and gentle nature.  Grateful that she made me feel important to her and grateful she accepted me and kept me.   It meant so much to be claimed by her!  It is a unique and special gift that those you love know how deeply and intensely you love them.  This was her gift!  
And I love her deeply and intensely, too.  I always will.

Growing up, Grammy was there for every single one of my sporting events, grandparent’s days, recitals, you name it. The past 3 years she lived with me and my mom so it gave me the chance to spend time with her every day and not many grandkids get that opportunity. Although watching Saints football or game shows will never be the same, I know I have the best guardian angel looking over me now 🩷

Dear Suzanne,  My deepest sympathies on the passing of your precious, talented Mother. Be consoled in knowing that you were a  wonderful, loving daughter, her greatest joy.  And what a privilege and a blessing  that you were able to care for her at the end of her life . Love and hugs,  “Miss Mary Jane”

When my younger sister, Angelique, and I were growing up we were complete opposites.  I tended to be more studious and followed the rules.  Angelique was wild and always colored outside of the lines in life.  Of course, there would be arguments.  She was complaining to Aunt Nell about me, and referred to me as "Goody Two Shoes".  That tickled Aunt Nell so much.  Every time she would see me she would call me "Goody Two Shoes", followed by a slight giggle to a full blown belly laugh.  I once asked her why she always laughed at that.  She said because I know darn well you have a wild streak!
Will miss her wonderful laugh.

Dell,Suzanne and Courtney,My heart and thoughts are with you all at this time.I always considered Nell like a sister in a strange round about way….her twin, Dell was married to my brother, so I gained two wonderful sisters!I have many fond memories of Nell…. One she was the superb gravy maker for years at my home for Thanksgiving and Christmas!Also we both did like the casinos and went to the pre opening of Harrahs and had a  fun night of laughing  and winning… at least she did, but I did also because I was with Nell.I think I owe her 60.00 from her winnings!Nell, you were very much loved and will be missed.We are fortunate to have a beautiful replica of you in your sister Dell and Suzanne and Courtney.RIP Love, Mary Lou Janoe

My sister,  Nell was so full of life and never wanted her life to be dull.  I was 12 years younger and of course she adored me.  Later in life we would go out and Nell always insisted that she and Dell were 39 years old; never wanting to age. I remember one time we were out and someone asked me my age and I answered "I am 42 years old"; not realizing what I had said.  Nell then instructed me that there is no way I could be 42 years old when they were only 39 years old.  It was hilarious because Nell was both serious and  funny at the same time.  I had to stay under 39 for years. Iam sure that she is telling everyone in heaven that she is still 39 years old. Nell loved  life; especially her life in New Orleans and never moved back to her hometown of Sunset.  Nell always made sure that we went home safely and then of course made sure that we ate at all times of the day and night.  She never knew a stranger and if she did; she made sure by the end of the day or night that she knew them.  Nell was a loving and selfless sister and always made sure that everyone was happy and loved.  I will definitely miss her and I know that she is in heaven with all the Horaist family and especially finally getting to know her mother; who died when she was 2 weeks old.  What a beautiful reunion that will be!!!!

Nell was my sister and she was a wonderful sister, daughter,  mother and friend to all.  She was always trying to find something to make her loved ones happy and went out of her way to help everyone she could.  She was a wonderful nurse and dedicated her life to helping others.  At the age of 17 she and her sister, Dell left the small town of Sunset, La and went to New Orleans to become Registered Nurses and definitely became the best of the best. I can remember my Mother and Father being called to Hotel Dieu for a consultation and when they arrived they learned that Nell and Dell were doing excellent except they didn't keep their rooms clean and broke curfews.  My parents just laughed and our Dad said we have been trying to get them to do this for 17 years so no use to continue trying because it will never happen.  They ended up graduating and became the greatest nurses ever and their bedrooms were still not clean. Nell loved life and everything in it.  She will definitely be missed by all that knew and loved her. Go Saints!!!!

I met Nell (or as I called her all those years ago "Suzanne's Mom) only  a few times when Suzanne and I were classmates at Marjorie Walters.  One memory does stand out, though, and that was the time she took Suzanne and me for an overnight stay (a slumber party) in a little boutique hotel in the French Quarter for Suzanne's birthday.   I remember "Suzanne's Mom" was so friendly, warm, and kind.   We all had fun swimming, eating out, and sharing lots of laughter!  My heart goes out to you and Courtney, and the whole family, Suzanne, for your loss.  May God bathe you all in His healing light of love and may your many happy memories bring you comfort. HUGS

Nell will be missed greatly. She was my second mom. I was always welcome to stay as long as my mom would allow. Nell would always ask me to keep an eye out for Suzanne but now she knows Suzanne was the one keeping an eye out for me. 
Love to my Pioth family ♥️

Nell Pioth, Mother, rockin, RN, and friend. You are forever missed already! I don’t even have to close my eyes to see that smile, hear your voice and recall that infectious laugh. You have left  me 2 beautiful souls, Suzanne and Courtney to carry on.(and oh boy, can we carry on!)  the lesson you have  taught me more than anyone or anything is to never take life for granted. May you be at peace with our Lord and  find comfort, knowing we will see each other again. 
PS… I will be making that yummy crawfish dip as soon as the price goes down! L O L
Love, 
DC. Donna (Solis) Chiasson xoxo

Suzanne, Courtney and Aunt Dell, I am so sorry about the passing of Aunt Nell.  She was so vivacious with a wicked sense of humor and wonderful laugh.  
I am blessed having had her in my life.
Love, Lisa (LeBoeuf) Boston and Family

I loved your mom Suzanne, and one of my fondest memories is remembering that she always gave me a place to stay when I ran away from home to hide from my mom with my album my brush and my harachis in tow.  She had an awesome Camaro too!  Will miss her so much, your mom was 1 of a kind!

OBITUARY

Nell Horaist Pioth

September 29, 1937 – February 3, 2024

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services