Norma Jane "Nj" Sabiston

Norma Jane Sabiston, who passed away from a sudden illness on December 4, 2020, was a trusted advisor to Presidents, Senators, Congressmen, Governors, and Mayors. However, she would tell you her most important legacy will be the hundreds of young leaders she mentored during her extraordinary 40-year career at the center of public policy in Louisiana and Washington, D.C.

“NJ” as she was known to those who loved her, never forgot that it was not the powerful and well connected she was working for but the forgotten, left behind and hard working families of Louisiana and the country who needed her powerful voice and the voices of those she worked with.

NJ was loved by her family and friends, feared by her political opponents, and respected by members on both sides of the aisle. Norma Jane served on the staff of Congressman Billy Tauzin and Senator John Breaux before engineering the historic election of Mary Landrieu as the first woman from Louisiana and the Deep South to serve in the United States Senate.

After that election, NJ served as Landrieu’s Chief of Staff for 15 years before returning to New Orleans to set up the governmental relations firm that today bears her name. Her work for Senator Landrieu and the congressional delegation was key in securing billions of dollars of relief for Louisiana’s citizens and infrastructure in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as well as numerous natural disasters.

Optimism, focus, and determination were the hallmark traits she carried into every endeavor. Eternally stylish, her diminutive stature belied the steely strength she carried into every political fight and the causes she believed in since she was a young woman. NJ was the consummate dealmaker and would work tirelessly to bridge any gap that stood to block her goal.

New Orleans was always at the center of everything NJ did. Whether it was working with her sister, Dottie Belletto, promoting the uniqueness of the city to organizations around the world, being the lead champion of the city’s arts programs in Congress, or working tirelessly to elect a progressive city leadership, she had a love for New Orleans that was unmatched.

NJ’s best friend whom she met in high school, Senator Mary Landrieu, said, “She was a devoted daughter, sister, and aunt within her extended family from New Orleans to North Carolina and was a friend extraordinaire. She seemed to pull time out of thin air for a casual call, a visit, a hug or a handwritten note to hundreds of cherished friends. Norma Jane Sabiston was truly an extraordinary human being. She was always thoughtful, kind, and caring in the most authentic way. It has been the joy and honor of my life to have known her, been loved by her and served side by side with her to accomplish much for our city, state, and nation. Her legacy will live on through many of our public institutions and nonprofit entities that she dreamed of and helped to build. One life can make a difference and hers most certainly did.”

Norma Jane was born July 20, 1955, the daughter of Norma Lyttle and Walter “Spec” Sabiston. NJ graduated from Marion Abramson Senior High, then attended the University of New Orleans where she majored in Political Science. She served on many boards where she worked on behalf of climate solutions, racial equity, youth leadership, and education.

Most notably, she worked with the Audubon Commission, Louisiana Youth Seminar, E Pluribus Unum Institute and Fund, UNO Alumni Association, NORD Foundation, New Orleans Tricentennial Commission, LSU Health and Sciences Foundation, and Louisiana ArtWorks.

Always committed to empowering women, she co-founded the Louisiana Center for Women in Government and Business Hall of Fame at Nicholls State University, where she was inducted in 2002.

NJ is survived by her mother, Norma Lyttle Sabiston of Mandeville; her sisters, Dottie Grace Belletto of New Orleans, Anita Pollack of Folsom and Donna Linares and her husband Ed of Lake Worth, FL; along with her brother Walter E. “Sonny” Sabiston, III of Mandeville; and her beloved dog, Walter. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Veronica Belletto of Santa Monica, CA, Dr. Nicholas Belletto and his wife Katie of Tallahassee, FL, and Rachel Brewster and her husband Zack of Covington; her godson Brandon Linares of Lake Worth, FL, her niece Grace Belletto of Tallahassee, FL, and her nephews Myles Belletto of Tallahassee, FL, and Donovan Brewster of Covington; as well as countless colleagues and friends.

Due to the current pandemic, a private service was held for the family.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials in remembrance of Norma Jane Sabiston to the Louisiana Youth Seminar (www.louisianayouthseminar.org/donate), Krewe de Pink (www.krewedepink.org/donate), Nancy M. Marsiglia Institute of Justice (www.unitedwaysela.org), and UNO Alumni organization (www.unoalumni.com/make-a-gift).

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