Fleta Roubieaux Garsaud

Fleta Roubieaux Garsaud departed this world in the early morning hours of November 16, 2023, with her loving husband, Marcel, of sixty-two years by her side. She departed this world much the same as she entered it on August 20, 1934 -with sparkling blue eyes, an independent spirit and a song in her heart. She was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore Roubieaux and Annie Dupuy Roubieaux, and is survived by her husband, Marcel Garsaud, Jr.; children, Michelle G. McDonald (Ron), Monique M. Garsaud, Marcel B. Garsaud (Mary) and Andre C. Garsaud; and her grandchildren, Thyme R. Garsaud, Amelia C. Garsaud and Marcel T. Garsaud.

Fleta never met a stranger, and her address book was filled with people of all ages and from all walks of life. She was guided in life by a thirst for knowledge, a love for education and a commitment to justice for all people. Her voice, whether through song or spoken word, left an imprint wherever she went.

Fleta graduated at age sixteen from Sacred Heart High School on Canal Street, then headed to the Midwest to attend St. Mary’s College in Milwaukee, WI. After a year, and at her mother’s request, Fleta returned to Louisiana State University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1955. She also served as Editor in Chief of The Gumbo, LSU’s yearbook.

Upon graduating, Fleta returned to the Midwest where she entered Grailville (the “Grail”) an international Catholic lay women’s organization in Ohio where her dedication to education and supporting underserved communities took root. At the Grail, Fleta learned what it meant to live in a “self-sustaining” community– often recounting tales of her early mornings milking cows and making bread for the day – skills which supported her several years later as a mother with four young children. She concluded her service with the Grail by opening an elementary school for the children of Catholic parents stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Fleta returned to New Orleans shortly after, and married Marcel in 1961. After brief stints in New York and Connecticut, they returned home to raise a family and to embark together on Marcel’s forty plus year career as a professor and Dean of Loyola University School of Law. Whether she was serving as a hostess for faculty parties, or as a traveling companion for bar association functions, Fleta was always by Marcel’s side.

While Marcel educated those in the law, Fleta immersed herself in educating young children. In the early sixties, Fleta became the administrator of Children’s House Montessori School, the first Montessori school in New Orleans, LA, which was a profound experience for her. Fleta knew that if society nourished and encouraged young minds to grow, the result would be healthy and productive adults. Fleta never wavered in this belief. Even in her last decade of life, Fleta could be found kneeling on the floor with toddlers encouraging them to be curious about their environment.

Fleta’s commitment to educating young people continued when she joined the staff of Ursuline Academy teaching religion to middle school girls - a reward and challenge she readily embraced.

Never satisfied with complacency, at almost sixty, Fleta obtained her Master of Social Work from the Tulane University School of Social Work. For the next two decades, Fleta would go on to counsel hundreds of teens and young adults through her work with Catholic Charities, the Good Sheperd School and her private practice.

During this time, Fleta also became certified in the art of Jin Shin Jyutsu, a hands-on healing modality that harmonizes the energy in the body. Fleta loved “laying hands” on her clients, friends, family, and much to her husband’s dismay, even strangers in the grocery. She credited the Jin Shin practice with helping her heal from two bouts of breast cancer.

Fleta found much joy in all areas of her life, but none more so than in music and sharing her voice through song. As a young child, Fleta sang weekly on live radio, an experience she cherished. The love of music and singing followed Fleta throughout her life, performing as a member of the Symphony Chorus of New Orleans and the Ignatius Chapel Community Chorus. She treasured classical music and was known to increase the radio volume on WWNO, the local classical music station, to drown out the yelling on Sunday afternoons during the Saints’ games. Even as her mind and body weakened in her last few months, her music was playing by her side.

Fleta gave and received love openly, but none more so than with the Ignatius Chapel Community (ICC), a small, intentional Christian community at Loyola University, for which she and Marcel served as founding members in the 1970’s. The ICC was an integral part of Fleta’s life, and in addition to being a long time Chorus member, Fleta directed the lector ministry, often guiding adults and children to proclaim the scriptures with clarity, feeling and enthusiasm. Fleta particularly enjoyed the sacred Christmas and Tridium seasons – times when her artistry could be seen woven throughout the chapel’s decorations and her crystal voice heard throughout her solo performances. Fleta left an imprint on the ICC that will never be forgotten.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff of the Heron House at Poydras Home and to Hospice Specialists of Louisiana for their devotion to and care of Fleta in the last weeks of her life.

Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Fleta’s life on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at Ignatius Chapel on Loyola University’s campus (Bobet Hall). Visitation will be held from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm and will be followed by a Mass at 12:00 pm. A reception will follow at St. Thomas Hall. (Parking for both events is available in the parking garage located behind Holy Name of Jesus Church.)

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Hope House or WWNO 89.9 FM (New Orleans Public Radio), both of which were near to Fleta’s heart.

To view and sign the online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com