Rebecca Smill Wortmann

Rebecca Smill Wortmann unexpectedly passed away on November 14, 2025, at the age of 54 from a tragic brain aneurysm, surrounded by family. She was born July 29, 1971, in New Orleans, LA to David and Brenda Smill and lived the majority of her life in Metairie, LA. She was married to Alfred Wortmann for 29 years.

She is preceded in death by her father, David Smill, grandmother, Carol Smill, and beloved uncle, Paul Smill.

She is survived by her loving husband, Alfred Wortmann, treasured daughters, Megan and Leah Wortmann, and siblings, Deborah Burlingame and Rog Erfurdt. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives, and friends.

Becky received her BA in political science from UNO in 1995 and her M.Ed. in 2002. Upon the birth of her first daughter, Megan, in 1999 she left her retail career and returned to UNO to complete her master’s degree in education while caring for Megan. In 2002 she gave birth to her second daughter, Leah, and completed her master’s degree in the same year. After spending a few years caring for her daughters full time, Becky embarked on her cherished teaching career in 2005. She held various teaching positions at East Jefferson High School for over 13 years and 3 years at De La Salle High School. Her professional passion was helping students obtain their goals and enable them to advance their education further. In teaching she found her calling, which aligned with her personal principles to help those in need and attempt to right the wrongs of the world. In her final act with us, she donated her organs to LOPA in hopes of extending or saving lives. She will be remembered for all the love and kindness she gave to those around her.

Her number one passion was spending time with her daughters and husband, which were her entire world. Becky would spend countless hours planning their trips to ensure they had the best possible experiences. Exercise was a constant source of pleasure and release, along with an immense reading appetite. Becky also enjoyed watching “bad” reality TV and shoe shopping.

The family would like to give special thanks to the Ochsner Jefferson Highway ER and ICU staff for their care, efforts, and kindness during an unimaginable time.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. New Orleans, LA. Visitation will be held from 10 AM – 1 PM with a graveside service to begin at 1 PM in Metairie Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to Second Harvest Food Bank, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or NPR.