Rita D'Aquin Nodier Smith

Rita “Rita Mae” Nodier-Smith passed away quietly at home on April 7, 2014 at the young age of 92 years. She was born in New Orleans, LA on May 28, 1921 to her late parents, Mamie Shifferstein D’Aquin Gardner and Sidney Albert D’Aquin. She is preceded in death by one brother, Sidney D’Aquin (Mildred), and four sisters, Claire Hoffman (Emile), Clo Ledig (Tommy), Althea O’Callaghan (Chic Ulrich and Richard O’Callaghan) and Camile (Bum) D’Aquin. Rita was also preceded in death by her two husbands, Germain B. Nodier, Sr and Henry J. Smith Sr and survived by her five remaining children, Cydney Nodier (Bruce Sontag), Brandon Nodier (Bonnie), Ingrid Rillieux (late Dion Rillieux, Sr.), Camilla Nodier (Cathy Cunningham, companion), Marye Salvage (Joseph) all of which she claimed at different times were her “favorite” and the late Germain B. Nodier, Jr. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. Rita never met a stranger. Her love and the joy in her life was meeting people, Saturday night dancing and her “dirty” martinis. She was active in many social clubs, as well as professional organizations. She was a member of Nu Kappa Psi since 1961 and held office for 8 years as President. She was a member of WIC (Women In Construction) for 30 years and in 1959 was given an award for bringing in the most new members. In 1961, she joined TOGOM (That Old Gang Of Mine) until 2003. She founded and was Captain of Le Bijoux, a women’s organization, for over 30 years. She was active in the 70s with Louise S. Davis School giving yearly supper dances as fund raising efforts for the school. In 1980, she was a maid in Dragon’s, a men’s organization which Henry was a serving member. Rita loved her Pokeno Club and was a member since the early 1970s until 2006. She then joined the Hilltoppers at St. Edward the Confessor along with her late sister, Althea. Rita also held office in AARP, chapter 3902, Lakeshore Chapter, as Vice President in 2007 and became President in 2008 with a two year term. She was very active in St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Church until Hurricane Katrina as part of the Finance Committee and the money counters and was also an active member of Knights of Peter Claver until the church closure. Rita loved working 28+ years at Gervais F. Favrot Construction Company, starting in 1959 at the Balter Building in downtown New Orleans, until 1983 when she retired after working on the Sheraton Hotel jobsite. Her love for life, her laughter and her contagious personality will be missed by all who knew her.

Arrangements under the direction of Schoen Funeral Home, New Orleans, LA.