Elizabeth Clare Cortez

Elizabeth Clare “Beth” Kleppner Cortez joiner her father in heaven on December 9, 2020, at age 54, as a result of a very aggressive cancer. She was born in Metairie, LA on April 2, 1966 and grew up in River Ridge, LA. She attended St. Matthew the Apostle Grade School, Chappelle High School, and LSU.

An avid reader, she ran the law library at Lemle-Kelleher for over twenty years. When that firm closed she managed her father’s law office until his death. Since then she has been employed by Judge Lauren Lemon of the St. Charles Parish Court System.

A people person, Beth gave her family and friends unconditional love and support. She had a playful and easy charm, loved to listen to live music, and to dance the night away. Her very favorite thing to do was to see and hear her son, Ian Richard, a professional guitarist, play music. In high school and college, she was part of a close knit group of friends whom she has loved and enjoyed all these years- a relationship in which they would do anything for her and she for them.

Beth treated people with kindness, respect, and total honesty in both her personal and her professional relationships. Well-organized, she put heart and dedication into her work. She especially lover her court job and the people with whom she worked in St. Charles Parish.

Daughter of the late Ferdinand J. Kleppner, she is survived by her husband, Richard Joseph Cortez, Jr., her son, Ian Richard Cortez, her mother, Nancy Means Kleppner, three brothers: Stephen (Deborah), Tim (Kathryn), and Mark (Julie). She was five brothers-in-law: Eddie Cortez (Patty), Johnny Cortez, Tommy Cortez (Lisa), David Williams (Jody), and Danny Williams (Lisa). She is also survived by several nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. Although she has n sisters in the usual sense, she has two very close friends who are like her sisters: Elizabeth Miles Schroeder of Atlanta, GA and Michelle Waguespack of Birmingham, AL. Her grandparents were Paul and Alline Means an d Fred and Dorothy Kleppner.

Because of Covid-19, there will be no service at this time. Later, in the spring or summer, when it is safe, all who loved her are invited to gather together to hug, to cry, to reminisce, and to celebrate, very heartily, a life well lived.

To share condolences with the family please visit www.LeitzEaganFuneralhome.com.