Charles Alltmont, a lifelong and beloved resident of the River Parishes and New Orleans, passed away peacefully at his home on June 27th following a brave and determined battle with cancer. Mary Lynn, his beloved wife of 61 years, was by his side, and his daughters Nan Janis and Ellen Rickles, both of Atlanta, were constant companions during the final few weeks of his life.
Charles spent his childhood in Reserve, LA, and was a graduate of Tulane University, where he studied business, met Mary Lynn, and developed many close friendships.
Soon after they were married, Charles and Mary Lynn moved to LaPlace, LA, where Charles made his mark as the proprietor of Alltmont’s stores, the successor to the Godchaux Sugar Refinery company store, which was established by his grandfather in 1905. Alltmont’s served the River Parishes for 81 years. Charles’ customers, many of whom became his friends through the years, appreciated his genial personality and how important he made them feel when they came in to shop. When Alltmont’s closed, Charles took his customer commitment to other retailers, including Maison Blanche, where he retired in 1997 as head of the women’s departments.
Charles’ impact extended to several volunteer community activities. He was a lifelong member of Touro Synagogue, served as president of the Riverlands Country Club, participated in the LaPlace chapter of the Jaycees, and even performed in community theatre alongside his daughter Nan. In addition, Charles was an avid golfer and devoted Saints fan. He and Mary Lynn traveled far and wide together and with their children and grandchildren. Destinations included England, Ireland, Turkey, Greece, France, Eastern Europe and Israel.
Throughout his life, family was everything to Charles. He warmly welcomed his two sons-in-law into the family, and he always found a special way to bond with each of his grandchildren, being sure to take an interest in their varied activities as young children and all the way through their college educations and early careers. Charles also cherished the large circle of friends he and Mary Lynn have stayed close to through the decades, many of whom he met in childhood and while a student at Tulane.
In 2020, Charles and Mary Lynn fulfilled a longtime dream to move to New Orleans, where they immediately took full advantage of the city’s rich cultural life as new residents of the Lower Garden District.
In addition to his wife, Mary Lynn, Charles is survived by his daughters Nan Janis (Howard) and Ellen Rickles (Rob), his brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Phyllis Alltmont, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Gail and Norman Stern, grandchildren Abby Janis, Sam Janis, Noah Rickles and Eli Rickles, nephews Jeffrey Alltmont (Rachel) and Michael Alltmont (Ava), Brad Stern (Stacy), and Craig Stern (Heidi), and several great nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Charles’ memory to Touro Synagogue, 4238 St. Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA, 70115, or https://tourosynagogue.com/; the Anti-Defamation League at www.adl.org; or the charity of your choice. Charles’ life will be celebrated at a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 5th, 2024, at Touro Synagogue (4238 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70115).
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