Margarita C. Perez

Margarita was born on June 10, 1932, in Havana, Cuba. She was a gifted student, graduating with valedictory honors, from the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Caibarien, Cuba. She attended Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart in New York where she studied Mathematics.

Her time in New York was shortened when she met the love of her life, Manuel Perez, and she transferred to Havana University in Cuba. He was enamored by her intelligence and beauty as she was with his nurturing spirit, good looks, and his expressive dance moves!

Their long and joyful marriage started in September 1952. They welcomed four daughters during their over 60 years of marriage. After leaving Cuba, Margarita and Manuel lived in Miami, FL and Knoxville, TN before settling in the New Orleans area.

Soon after moving to New Orleans, she began her teaching career at St. Lawrence the Martyr School in Metairie, LA where she taught mathematics, religion, and served as an Assistant Principal before retiring after over 20 years of service to the school. Margarita also served as a Eucharistic minister, and she lent her time and talents to anything that fostered faith and would better the experience for the children. During this time the Teresian Sisters were involved at the school, and Margarita developed a close relationship with the Religious Order that continued throughout her life.

In the late 1980s, the family joined St. Jerome Parish, and once again, she became very involved in parish life including working with the Hispanic Apostolate, serving as a eucharistic minister, assisting with new parishioner ministry, and supporting the Life Teen program.

After retiring from teaching, she started her second career at Whitney National Bank at the main office in the Central Business District until her retirement in 1997.

After Hurricane Katrina ravaged the New Orleans area, Margarita came out of retirement to work with the Louisiana Spirit Program through the Department of Health. This program offers outreach services to the populations most vulnerable to the effects of disaster. Helping families during that time of recovery brought her much fulfillment.

Margarita endeavored to live her Catholic faith every day. She committed herself throughout her life to developing a close relationship with God and modeled her life after his love. She shared her faith openly and taught us all how to lean on our faith in difficult times and to trust God’s plan for each of us.

Throughout her life, she was recognized for her leadership and service to the organizations and communities to which she served. She was awarded the St. Lawrence the Martyr Service Award, the Teresian Sisters Service Award, the 2002 Archdiocese of New Orleans Order of St. Louis Medallion, and in 2009 the Jefferson Parish Council honored her during Hispanic Heritage Month for her work as Resource Coordinator of the Louisiana Spirit Program.

She is survived by her daughters: Martha Stewart (Bill); Ana Perkins (Danny); Paula Duplantis (Mark); Margarita M. Perez (Stephanie); her sister Matilde Cosio; four grandchildren, Jeffrey Stewart (Erika); Shawna Perkins; Andrew Duplantis (Caitlin), Paul Duplantis (Bailey); and four great grandchildren, Collin Sparacello, Evelyn Stewart, Grace Stewart, and Charles Duplantis; and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Preceding her in death were her beloved husband, Manuel Perez; mother and father Marta and Pedro Cazabon; granddaughter Jennifer Stewart; brother Juan Cazabon; sister Maria Figarola; and nephew Pedro Cazabon.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 11:00am at St. Jerome Catholic Church in Kenner, LA. Visitation will begin at 8:30am. A private burial will follow at St. Patrick #1 Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jerome Catholic Church, 2402 33rd Street, Kenner, LA 70065 https://stjeromecatholic.org/give or to the Teresian Sisters Convent, 18080 St. Joseph Way, Covington, LA 70435.