Cary Alden

Cary Wilmot Alden, 73, of Jefferson, La., passed away peacefully December 12, 2022, at Ochsner Medical Center, surrounded by family, after a lengthy illness. A lifelong resident of the New Orleans area, Cary was well known for creating memorable experiences as a public relations and event consultant, stage and screen actress, TV show host and passionate promoter of the arts, hospitality and tourism. After attending LSU, where she majored and excelled in theater, Cary spent the early years of her career as both a stage performer and PR representative for the Beverly Dinner Playhouse. Following a 1983 fire that destroyed the venerable theater, she went on to handle PR in-house or as a consultant for numerous hotels such as the Windsor Court, the Roosevelt (operating at the time as the Fairmont New Orleans), the Omni Royal Orleans and many other local and national brand properties. She also represented cultural arts organizations such as Le Petit Theatre and Rivertown Theater, as well as local galleries, business associations, nonprofits, restaurants and boutiques. When Cary wasn't working behind the scenes for her PR clients, she continued to step on stage and in front of the camera. A longtime member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and the Actors' Equity Association, she performed in community theaters in New Orleans and New York, in roles supporting icons of the stage, TV and cinema. Among her many screen credits are regionally shot features such as My Own Love Song, Sonny, Tightrope, American Violet and The Savage Bees as well as numerous national, regional and local TV commercials. In the late '80s and early '90s, Cary co-hosted Real New Orleans, a locally produced weekly feature show on WGNO-TV celebrating and profiling the places, personalities, customs, cuisine and events that give the Crescent City its unique flavor. She also volunteered and raised funds for numerous community organizations and philanthropic initiatives throughout the New Orleans area, including Dress For Success, the New Orleans Museum of Art and Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra among others. Cary's warm and engaging smile, personality, quick wit and sense of humor made connections in her work, social and family life effortless, and she brightened and captivated every room she entered. Apart from her professional and civic life, she loved planning family events and holiday celebrations, especially with her nieces, nephews and their children. She was an avid cat lover and advocate for pet adoption and animal rescue, headed north almost every autumn to "leaf peep" and loved celebrating Carnival with dear friends at Galatoire's and the Royal Orleans. Cary was born in New Orleans on November 11, 1949, the youngest child of Julian "Jack" Mollere Wilmot and Miriam Schwab Wilmot. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Ann Wilmot Gauthier Rappaport and Mary Mollere Wilmot; and brother-in-law Dan Stapp. She is survived by her brother, John D. Wilmot, and his wife, Lynda, of New Orleans; sister Barbara Wilmot Stapp of Metairie; sister Caryl Wilmot Barnes and her husband, Eugene Barnes, of Mandeville; brother-in-law Robert Rappaport of New Orleans; and six nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will take place Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA, preceded by a visitation, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Interment will be in Metairie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Cary's family encourages donations in her memory to any New Orleans-area nonprofit helping women and children in crisis or promoting animal rescue. To share your fond thoughts, memories, and condolences with the family, please visit the online guestbook at lakelawnmetairie.com.