Theresa Ruffino Matassa

Theresa Ruffino Matassa of New Orleans, LA passed away in the early morning hours of Saturday, September 21, 2024. She was 97. She surrendered to Alzheimer's disease peacefully in her home in the Memorial area of Houston, TX in the presence of family members and her caregiver.

Born on April 10, 1927 to the late Frank and Mabel Ruffino, also of New Orleans, she grew up in the Italian neighborhood of the French Quarter. She led a long and illustrious life, touching many people, as they had touched her. In 1951, and after years of courtship, she married her husband, the late Joseph A "Baby" Matassa, also of New Orleans. They built a life together, centered around their three loving children, all of whom survive her: sons, Charles & John Matassa, both of Houston, TX, and a daughter, Marianne Matassa Schrempp, of Metairie, LA.

She became a widow at the age of 61 with the sudden and untimely loss of her husband in 1988. Through the next 15 years, she adjusted to life without him, surrounded by family and friends for support.

In 2004, she received news that her eldest son, Charles, had a rare and potentially fatal brain condition. After several unsuccessful attempts at arresting the disease, doctors in Chicago were finally successful, although he remains paralyzed to this day. Throughout the entire years-long ordeal, Theresa was by his side, showing unwavering support and care.

Not long after, and while in Chicago, she learned of Hurricane Katrina's devastation upon her city and its destruction in the aftermath: her home of 35 years was not spared. So she, along with her sons and thousands of others, became displaced citizens of the city, opting to call Houston, TX their new home. She remained there for the next 19 years, not entirely of her own free will, but doing so for the sake of the health and safety of her family members until her mental decline and ultimate passing.

In addition to her children, she is survived by her caring daughter-in-law, Amy Brewer Matassa, loving sister, Charlene Ruffino Philippi, and her 4 adoring grandchildren, Giancarlo and Daniela Matassa, and Christina and Joseph Schrempp.

The visitation will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home in New Orleans from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. A brief graveside service will follow in Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for charitable donations to be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Theresa Ruffino Matassa's honor: https://www.stjude.org/donate