Dr. Alice R. Geoffray

GEOFFRAY Dr. Alice R. Geoffray, a native of New Orleans, LA and a resident of Mandeville, LA at the time of her death was born on November 18, 1924 in New Orleans, the daughter of the late Peter Charles Randazza, and the late Alice Renaud Randazza. She was educated in New Orleans. She received her B.A. degree from St. Mary's Dominican College in 1944; her Master of Education degree from Tulane University in 1970; and her Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of New Orleans in 1978. She spent 42 years in the educational field in Louisiana at L.E. Rabouin Vocational High School and Francis T. Nichols Senior High School; at the schools in Iberville Parish at White Castle and Plaquemine, LA; and as Adjunct Professor at Southern University of New Orleans. She retired from the New Orleans Public Schools in 1991 as Director of Vocational Education. She interrupted her high school service on two occasions. From 1965 to 1972, she conducted the Adult Education Center on Exchange Place in N.O., sponsored by Dominican College and businesses of N.O.; from 1972 to 1974, she served at the Louisiana State Board of Education in Baton Rouge as the first State Coordinator of Career Education. She authored four textbooks, including Communication Skills for Succeeding in the World of Work (McKnight Publishing and McGraw Hill); Pounding the Pavement (LSU Press) and A Crash Course in College Cash (U.N.O.). She won many honors during her professional years. Among the more significant awards include: The Classroom Teachers Award from the Freedom Foundation in 1963; the Outstanding Vocational Teacher Award from the Louisiana State Department of Education in 1975; the 3rd Annual Celebration of Women's Week Award from YWCA in 1995; the Most Distinguished Alumna Award from Dominican High School in 1998; and the New Orleans Martin Luther King Torch Bearer Award in 2001. As proud as she was of her professional achievements, she was even prouder of the accomplishments of her children. In 1944, she married Rudolph C. Geoffray, an outstanding music teacher in Orleans, Pointe Coupee, and Iberville Parishes. He died in 1997. The beloved children who survived them (and their spouses) include Andrea Geoffray and Dr. H. Ralph Rawls of San Antonio, TX; R. Stephen Geoffray of Washington and Alexandria, VA; Charlotte and Leon Strauser of Mandeville, LA; Dr. "Dolly" Geoffray of Mandeville, LA; F. Paul and Lynn Brown Geoffray of New Orleans, LA; Jeanne Geoffray and Julian Buenger of Dallas, TX; and Gerald "Jeff" and Marcy Geoffray of Santa Monica, CA. The late Maurice Geoffray preceded her. Her grandchildren and their spouses/partners: include Randall and Melanie Granier of Marietta, GA; Jason and Jessica Lacayo of Washington; Stephanie and Billy Jenkins of Covington, LA; Benjamin and Christine Geoffray of Hollywood, CA; Andrew Strauser and Tim Kuryak of Sherman Oaks, CA; Rachel and Roger Smith of North Richland Hills, TX; Walker Geoffray of New Orleans; Travers Geoffray of VA; and Zachary and Jessie Geoffray of Santa Monica. Her great-grandchildren are Lauren Palliser, Avery and Will Jenkins of Covington, Emily and Olivia Granier of Marietta. She is also survived by her sister Gladys Skiles of Heath, TX and her brothers John Randazza and Alfred Randazza of Metairie, LA. A visitation will be held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home in Metairie, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., on Wednesday, August 5, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Anthony of Padua, 4640 Canal Street, at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 6, 2009. Interment to follow at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum. To sign and view the Family Guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.