Helen Wiggin Centanni

Helen Wiggin Centanni’s legacy in life is her unwavering love for her husband Ro, her son Philip, her brother Buddy, her sisters Pat, Dottie & Ann, and her nieces and nephews. Helen’s professional legacy is an exceptional career in broadcast communications where she broke the glass ceiling as one of the very first camera women in New Orleans television. Her sharp intellect, creative spirit and passion for community soon caught the attention of the nation’s highest ranking local news station, WWL-TV, where she would become one of Angela Hill’s producers on the Angela Hill Show. After years booking world-class talent for Angela, Helen joined Entercom Communications as Promotions Director for the Big 870AM, WWL Radio and Kool 95.7FM. In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina, and its aftermath, threatened to forever destroy the Crescent City, setting in motion a dream team collaboration between Helen, Garland Robinette and a powerhouse station hailed around the world as the “lifeline sent by airwaves” WWL Radio. Together, the entire WWL team had one mission: to bring New Orleans back from the grips of destruction. Taking on the role of executive producer for Garland, Helen played an integral role in helping WWL drive the recovery and rebirth of the city and community she loved dearly. In recent years, Helen produced the Newell Normand Show for WWL until ALS sidelined her in June 2022. Since her 2020 diagnosis, Helen bravely fought ALS as her son, her husband, her family, coworkers and community fought right alongside her. Helen will always be remembered for her joyful spirit, her passion for Disney and the Saints, her carrot cake and cookies, and her service to the people and city of New Orleans… And she was the best mom in the world!

A visitation for Helen will be held Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124. A funeral service will occur Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124. A reception will occur Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124.