Frances Dee Tarantino

Frances Dee McCarthy Tarantino, 83, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Houston, Texas. Born in New Orleans to Francis Joseph and Elodie (Millet) McCarthy, Frances Dee was a beloved wife, mother, educator, and community leader.

She attended St. Joseph Academy and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Loyola University. During her college years, she met Gerard “Jerry” C. Tarantino, Sr., in a charming setup orchestrated by their little sisters, leading to a beautiful and lasting union. Frances Dee and Jerry were married for fifty years until his passing in 2014. They raised four children: Anne-Marie Karp (Edward), Gerard C. Tarantino, Jr. (Gianna), Amy Pease (Chris), and Joseph P. Tarantino (Jennifer).

Frances Dee devoted her life to her family, her service in education, and her faith. She was a trailblazer in the 1960s, balancing a career while raising a family and earning a Master of Education in Counselor Education from the University of New Orleans. She was the first female to teach Latin at Jesuit High School, and her extensive teaching career included positions at Mount Carmel Academy, Delgado East Campus, Resurrection of Our Lord School, Stuart Prep School, St. Joseph Academy, and St. Mary’s Dominican High School.

Frances Dee rounded out her distinguished career as president and principal of Cabrini High School and later as principal of St. Catherine of Siena. Her leadership significantly enhanced the schools' operating budgets, reserves, and matriculation rates. Throughout her service in education, she touched the lives of countless students, parents, and faculty members, leaving an indelible legacy in the New Orleans community. She was recognized with numerous accolades, including the Outstanding Catholic Educator Award in 1995 from the Knights of Columbus. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life. Frances Dee served on the board of the St. Catherine Pastoral Council and as an Extraordinary Minister of Communion at St. Francis Xavier Parish Church.

Frances Dee is survived by her four children, their spouses, and nine grandchildren: Benjamin and Nina Karp; Gabrielle, Grace, and Georgia Tarantino; Isabelle, Connor, and Gabriel Pease; and Mia Tarantino, all of whom adored and admired her. She is also survived by her siblings and in-laws: Patrick M. McCarthy (Paula), Nancy M. Hernandez (Jerry), JoAnn P. Tarantino, Emily C. Tarantino, and Laverne T. Broussard, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Sandra E. McCarthy, sister-in-law JoAnn T. Langenstein and her husband William, brothers-in-law Francis J. Tarantino, Jr., John B. Tarantino, Charles R. Broussard, and Richard H. Tarantino and his wife Eileen.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to Mildred Barrientos, StoneCreek of Copperfield Senior Living Center, and Aspire Home Hospice for their exceptional caregiving and support.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 9:00 a.m. The interment will follow the Mass in Metairie Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in memory of Frances Dee to Cabrini High School, the Alzheimer’s Association, http://act.alz.org/goto/frances, or Masses at your church.

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