Barbara Kuper

Barbara Caruso Kuper, 65, died peacefully at her home in Slidell on Sunday, May 8, 2016. Barbara is predeceased by her parents, Frank S. and Josephine D. Vitale Caruso, and her sister, Angela Caruso Campagna. She is survived by her beloved husband Philip, stepson Forrest, brothers Salvatore “Sam” (Martha) Caruso, Peter (Cindy) Caruso, brother-in-law Ronald F. Campagna, nieces & nephews Mary Martha (Robb) Melancon, Kristine (Christopher) Black, Salvatore “Sammy” (Anna) Caruso Jr. and Ronald T. Campagna.

Barbara graduated from St. Mary's Dominican High School and received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Nursing from LSU Medical Center, School of Nursing. She was an RN for 43 years, and worked in nearly every clinical aspect of nursing at one time or another. She worked at Riveroaks, New Orleans VA, and Touro Infirmary.   She was on the faculty at LSUMC School of Nursing for 20 years, and a Hospice nurse for seven years prior to her illness. She held numerous additional credentials, and was a Nationally Certified Bereavement Facilitator.

Barbara was a member of The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. She received the first Allen A. Copping Excellence in Teaching award from the School of Nursing; the Dr. Ernst Lederle Award for Excellence in Research, Education and Patient Care; the Northshore District Nurses Association Nursing Excellence Award; the Outstanding Clinical Practice Award, Touro Infirmary; and the Dedication to Lupus Patients Award. She was trained as an End-of-Life Nursing Educator through an award from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. She was included in the 100 Great Nurses.

Nursing was not just a profession to Barbara; it was her calling—in her DNA. She will be fondly remembered as the wonderful nurse who took care of both her patients and their families; perceptive in assessment, tenacious and determined, diligent in treatment, with a wonderful depth of compassion that did not wane with the years. She believed a vital part of nursing was to serve as an advocate and she was fully committed to this role. Throughout Barbara's life and career, she touched the lives of many, including her patients, students, colleagues, family, and friends.

Family and friends are invited to attend Memorial services, one of which will be held on Saturday, May 21 at St Genevieve Church in Slidell (58203 Hwy 433, Slidell - visitation and remembrances 9:00-11:00, Mass at 11:00, followed by reception). A second service will be held on Saturday June 11, at the Lutheran Church of the Pines in Waveland, MS (309 Hwy 90, Waveland - visitation 10:00, service at 11:00, reception to follow).