Ruth Benerito

Ruth Rogan Benerito died on Saturday morning, October 5, 2013 at the age of 97. She was born in New Orleans to the late Bernadette Elizardi Rogan and John Edward Rogan. Beloved wife of the late Frank Benerito. Sister of the late John Edward Rogan, Jr., Daniel Bartly Rogan, William David Rogan, Elizabeth Bartly Rogan and Bernadette Rogan. She is survived by nieces and nephews and numerous other relatives. After earning a B.S. at Sophie Newcomb College, Mrs. Benerito continued her studies as a graduate scholar in chemistry at Bryn Mawr College, completed her Master’s Degree in Physics at Tulane University and obtained her Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry at the University of Chicago. Her long and distinguished career included 33 years at the Southern Regional Research Center of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. She received many honors including the Garvan Medal, the Southwest Regional Award, the U.S.D.A.’s Distinguished Service Award and the Lemelson - MIT Lifetime Achievement Award. She was the first female recipient of the Southern Chemist Award and received the Federal Woman’s Award by President Lyndon B. Johnson. In 2008, Mrs. Benerito was inducted into the National Inventor’s Hall of Fame for her invention of wrinkle-free cotton.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Funeral Mass on Thursday, October 10, 2013 at 11:00 am at Garden of Memories Funeral Home, 4900 Airline Drive in Metairie. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am. Interment will be in Hope Mausoleum in New Orleans.