Veda "Robbie" Newman

Veda “Robbie” Newman was born on June 30, 1932 and passed away at Christwood Retirement Community in Covington, LA on May 3, 2023, at the age of 90. Robbie was the only child of the late Delbert and Osie Robinson. Robbie was born in Corning, AR, and moved to Memphis, TN in 1950. She became a stewardess for Delta Airlines in 1952. In 1958, she married W. Clifford Newman, Jr. (“Cliff”). At that time, stewardesses were not allowed to work after marrying, so Robbie retired from Delta. Their daughter, Lisa Newman Sibal, was born in 1959. Robbie and Cliff moved to New Orleans in 1968 for Cliff’s career with Tulane Medical School. Robbie always stayed busy with community work, including Clipt Wings (stewardesses who had retired after marrying), the Ladies Leukemia League and many others. In 1972, the Clipt Wings were invited to re-join Delta (now as flight attendants) and Robbie immediately applied, was accepted and rejoined the Delta family she loved, working until her retirement in 1995. Robbie and Cliff enjoyed traveling the world. Robbie was an avid collector and refinisher of antique furniture and could often be found scouring the antique stores along Magazine Street in the ‘60s and ‘70s. She and Cliff enjoyed living in River Ridge until his death in 1992, after which she moved to Mandeville, LA. In Mandeville, she maintained many close friendships with her Delta crew, as well as gardening, volunteering with Lakeview Regional Medical Center, and weekly time with her “Lunch Bunch.” Robbie moved to Christwood in 2019 and enjoyed the company of the residents and staff there until her passing. She regaled anyone who would listen to her many stories of flying for Delta, especially the time she was hijacked to Cuba (she always added that the hijackers were quite courteous, and she got to spend a day in Havana).

Robbie was predeceased by her parents, her husband, sister-in-law Betty Waller (as well as Betty’s husband Mike Waller Sr.), nephew Michael Waller Jr. (Debbi) and step grandson James Sibal (Tara). She is survived by her daughter Lisa (John), brother-in-law Charlie Newman (Kay), nephew Steve Waller (Terri), niece Melanie Lamb (Charlie), step granddaughter -in -law Tara Sibal, step granddaughter Allison Baker (Scott), and step great grandchildren Scottie Baker, Luke Baker, Emma Baker, Olivia Sibal and Ian Sibal.

The family would like to thank Delta Airlines for a lifetime of wonderful memories for Robbie; Christwood Retirement Community (especially Heather, Jackie and the nursing staff), Notre Dame Hospice and her circle of longtime loyal friends who were with her through thick and thin.

A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, May 17th at 10:00 a.m. at Lake Lawn Funeral Home in Metairie, LA, with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. The Very Rev. David Allard duPlantier will preside. Interment will follow at Metairie Cemetery, where Robbie will be laid to rest with her beloved husband Cliff.

The family welcomes donations in Robbie’s memory to Christwood Foundation or The W. Clifford Newman, Jr. Scholarship Fund at Tulane Medical School.