Search by Name

Search by Name

Louise Moreland Obituary

MORELAND (WATTLES), Louise

1947-2023

Louise Wattles Moreland loved the cool water of Lake Burton, "Phantom of the Opera," chocolate caramels and a glass of Perrier with a lime. She could hitch a trailer packed with food and folk art to her car and drive to the lake with two young children and two dogs and cook gourmet meals twice a day and still look elegant because she was. Her grandchildren called her Lovey. It was uniquely appropriate. Louise saw the beauty of God's work all around her. She gave her love abundantly and inspired many to do the same. Louise died on March 28, 2023 in Newton, Massachusetts. She was 75.

Louise was born to Eugenia "DeeDee" Pepper and Walter Wattles on August 7, 1947 in Hartford, Connecticut. She grew up with her two younger sisters, Ann Pepper and Eugenia, in Atlanta. Together, they told stories of life on Club Drive, family camping trips and annual summer pilgrimages to their mother's old farmhouse in Delaware where they would collect eggs from the chicken coop, ride the waves at Rehoboth Beach and sunburn to a crisp.

Although Louise proudly called Atlanta her hometown, for two years during grade school, she and her family lived in San Francisco – a dramatic change of scenery and culture that instilled in her a bright sense of adventure and the resourcefulness to bloom wherever she was planted. Upon her return to Atlanta, Louise attended The Lovett School, matriculated first to Bradford Junior College in Massachusetts and then transferred to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, where she joined the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and from which she graduated in 1969. At Vanderbilt she met her husband, Steven C. Moreland. Although they later divorced, Louise and Steve raised their two daughters, Laura and Sarah, in a tightly knit, loving, and joyful family for many years.

For Louise, mothering was an action verb. In fact, Louise's friends and her daughters' friends have often said that it was Louise who taught them how to mother their children. She was endlessly giving and forgiving, pouring her love into her girls, making sure each one knew how proud she was of them just for being themselves. Throughout her children's childhood, Louise frequently planned simple, humble adventures like taking the bus to get ice cream, exploring a backyard stream, or packing a picnic to be enjoyed perched in a tree.

During humid Atlanta summers, Louise fervently fanned herself and fluffed her blonde curls while she laughed, "It's hot as hinges!" She was drawn to the mountains and waters of north Georgia and North Carolina that are verdant, cool, and wild with rhododendron, mountain laurel and galax. Driving into the mountains, she would roll down the windows and cheerfully encourage everyone to breathe in the cool mountain air. If ever there was a porch, you would find Louise. It was there she felt most at home, relaxed and peaceful.

Louise was thoughtful, creative, and playful. Eschewing attention, she preferred to celebrate someone else. Two of her greatest gifts were her instinct to make other people feel valued and her intuition when someone might need a lift. Her cards were famous among friends and family – they were always funny, often irreverently so, and occasionally included a cut-out photograph of her wearing her pink rollers glued to the front. Louise kept a detailed list of every friend's birthday tucked into a file box of the hilarious cards she collected. Never one to sign just her name, she would write the things she loved about you.

In her late 40s, Louise was a researcher for The New York Times, Atlanta bureau. Some of her happiest years as a mother included the juggle of work and children. She loved stepping into the slipstream of a national news organization and the heady urgency of tracking down information on deadline. She had a keen ear for a good story, but she was a dreadful typist, a frustration that often kept her at work well past dinner. During those years, her daughters became adept in the kitchen, cooking their mother's fully-prepped lemon chicken. For years after leaving the paper, Louise continued to collect quirky news clippings to share with friends and family, and her girls received annual subscriptions to The New York Times from their mom for decades.

Both elegant and casual, Louise instinctively knew the beauty of good design and she had an astute eye for color. She loved the detailed, creative process of making a home for her family and could unfailingly make any room from apartments to dorms more sophisticated, functional and welcoming. Her own home was gracious and charming and always full of warmth and her own loose, lovely flower arrangements.

Louise adored her six grandchildren and took time to know each one deeply – and they adored her. She cheered at soccer games, jumped off docks into cold water holding their hands, sledded down hills with them whooping with laughter, and traveled constantly to San Francisco, Shanghai, Boston and Westfield, New Jersey.

Wherever she lived, in high school and college, at school meetings, as a member of Colonial Dames, and at All Saints Episcopal Church where Louise happily served on the Altar Guild for many years, she found close friends whose friendships stood the test of time. Louise loved her two sisters, her niece and nephews, and they loved her. She and her younger sister Eugenia lifted each other up and could always make each other laugh, especially when life was tough.

Two years ago, Louise shouldered a heartbreaking Alzheimer's diagnosis and made the difficult and brave decision to leave Atlanta and move to Boston to be with Laura, Sarah; their husbands, Alec and Hans; and her grandchildren: Quinn, Elliott, Lillian, Arthur, Henry and Colt. The time together was a gift – rich, memorable, precious, and way too short. When Laura and Sarah witnessed the true nature of the disease, they began to appreciate how hard their mother's quiet battle must have been during the undiagnosed years of her illness. Louise's strong, warm hugs, her unending support, her kind smile, and wonderful laugh will be deeply missed. She was loved to the highest.

For all the people who supported Louise during her struggle – Kathleen Mwangi, Cherran Carter, Jackie Porto, Lourdes Barjum and Juliet Kayizzi – who lovingly and patiently cared for her, showing her the respect and kindness she had shown so many others during her life, her family is grateful.

A Memorial Service and reception will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church, in Atlanta at 11 AM, on Monday, May 22. In lieu of flowers, Louise's family invites you to contribute to two important organizations. Daughters Against Alzheimer's supports the Emory Goizueta Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. Julie's Dream creates opportunities for Atlanta's children to experience the joy of outdoor adventure and the beauty of God's creation.

Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Apr. 23, 2023.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Louise Moreland

Not sure what to say?





5 Entries

We will always treasure the special long distance friendship of over 50 years with "Lucious" Louise as we endearingly called her. We always picked up just where we left off, even though it may have been awhile since we connected. She was a one in a million type person who embodied every wonderful quality one could wish for. We admired her and loved her and will miss her so much. Our hearts go out to all of her friends, family and loved ones.

Rupe and Sheila Cohen

Friend

April 25, 2023

Anne, Eugenia and family, I am so sorry for your loss of Louise, but am so glad she is back with your adorable parents!
She will be sorely missed by her children, grandchildren and friends, but is at peace! God Bless you all and let him hold you in the palm of his hands!
Grace Tate

Grace Tate

Friend

April 24, 2023

Louise was always a gracious and elegant lady and a dear friend. She loved and adored her beautiful girls and family. I will forever have fond memories of the fun and loving lady she was. Rest In Peace my dear friend until we meet again. Lorene and Dick

L Monroe

April 24, 2023

Louise was like a second mother to me. She was so loving, so thoughtful, so fun. I have such fond memories (especially) of being at Lake Burton as a guest of her daughter, Laura, jumping off the second floor of the boathouse and into the cold, clear water, and later eating my body weight in green grapes, Boursin cheese, and crackers. Love you forever, Louise.

Susan Rebecca White

Friend

April 23, 2023

Louise was just plain fun to be with. "All gussied up" (a term I attribute to her) or not, she brought joy wherever she went. I will miss her.

Rocky Ford

Friend

April 23, 2023

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results

Make a Donation
in Louise Moreland's name

Memorial Events
for Louise Moreland

May

22

Memorial service

11:00 a.m.

All Saints Episcopal Church

GA

How to support Louise's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Louise Moreland's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more