Shirley Calamia Rihner

Shirley Calamia Rihner, age 99, passed away on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at Touro Infirmary, after an illness of several weeks. She was the daughter of the late Charles Warren Appollonia and Emilie Leonie Barrere Appollonia. Her ancestors included members of the Hottes, Wingerter, Hiessung, Wilken, Loop, Krenier and Gerdsen families. She was preceded in death by her first husband of 25 years, Ignatius Roy Calamia, and her second husband of 28 years, Charles Alfred Rihner.

She is survived by her son, Dr. Kenneth Temple Calamia, and daughters, Cynthia Anne Calamia Laborde and Susan Lorraine Calamia Overhue. Her other children were the late, Janice Lynn Calamia Goodbee and Cary Roy Calamia. Shirley had eight grandchildren: the late Daniel Roy Calamia, Catherine Novak Calamia, Laurel Catherine Calamia Laborde, Lindsay Camile Calamia Laborde, Melissa Leigh Overhue, Marisa Lorraine Overhue, Timothy Warren Overhue, and Amy Ellen Overhue Mascair. She had eight great-grandchildren.

Shirley was baptized at Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church and graduated from Eleanor McMain High School. She worked at Armco before the war, became a nursing cadet at Touro Infirmary and attended Tulane University. After raising her five children, she went to work first at the Louisiana Department of Employment Security and then at the Monteleone Hotel as convention manager for 20 years. Shirley loved life. She enjoyed traveling, feeding her cats, lace tablecloths, and eating out. She was a regular at Mandina’s since its opening in the 1930s. She loved to cook Italian food, Chicken Fanasci and could craft wonderful appetizers on a moment’s notice. Shirley was the constant in the family and her Gentilly home was the location for many family dinners and gatherings. She loved family and welcomed all. Never did an unkind word leave her mouth. She was loved by all who knew her and will be greatly missed. Certainly, there are many in heaven who have welcomed her.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial gathering at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Sunday, July 18, 2021 from 5:00PM until 8:00PM. A private interment will take place in Metairie Cemetery.

To view and sign the guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com