Iona Mae Heuer Aden

Iona Mae Heuer Aden, 91 years young, of New Orleans went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, January 12, 2013 following a brief illness. Iona Mae was preceded in death by her parents, Marie Cleary Heuer and Frank Edward Heuer. She is survived by her loving, faithful and devoted husband of nearly 70 years, Ervin Aden (Captain, U.S. Army, retired). She is also survived by her two loving daughters, Bonnie Aden Brooks (husband J. Dodd Brooks) of Clinton, Mississippi; and Louellen Aden Berger (husband Darryl Berger) of New Orleans. Also survived by her seven wonderful grandchildren--Lori Brooks Poole of Roanoke, Va.; Lyndi Brooks Anagnostis of Dallas, Tx.; Leslie Brooks Nordan of Brandon, Ms.; Allison Berger Tiller of New Orleans; Darryl Berger, Jr of Phoenix, Az.; Brandon Berger of New Orleans; and Ryan Berger of Austin, Tx. Also survived by nine precious great-grandchildren--Dalton Poole, Aden Letch, Lawson Letch, Georgios Anagnostis, John Gabriel Nordan, Ande Tiller, Hayes Tiller, Danny Berger, and Alex Berger. Iona Mae is also survived by her four loving siblings--Frank Heuer, Edward Heuer, Florence Heuer Horst, and Gloria Heuer Vinson. Also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends and admirers. A native and lifelong resident and devotee of New Orleans, Iona Mae was raised in the Gentilly area by a close and loving family. She graduated from John McDonogh Girls High School, and attended Loyola College of Music on a music scholarship. A remarkably talented singer, she studied for six years under the former Dean of Loyola School of Music, Madam Eva Grippon, and was invited to sing with the New York Metropolitan Opera. Among other things, she performed with the New Orleans Opera, and was the lead soloist for the Gentilly Presbyterian Church for over 50 years. Iona Mae Heuer Aden epitomized the Greatest Generation. Her promising singing career was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II. Determined to do her part to support the war effort, she worked as a senior level administrator, with top FBI clearance, for the heads of the Naval Air Station on the Lakefront, and for Consolidated Vultee Aircraft. She also sang at numerous USO shows. During the early stages of the War, she met her future husband, Lieutenant Ervin Aden, who was stationed briefly in New Orleans. It was love at first sight, and they married on May 22, 1943. Ervin shipped off to Europe, landed on Utah Beach on D-Day and was later severely wounded in heroic action. He returned to the U.S. to be nursed back to health by his devoted wife, and together they raised a beautiful and loving family and continued their lifelong love affair that lasted for nearly 70 years. Iona Mae lived a beautiful, spiritual and exemplary life. She passed away surrounded by her husband, children, pastor and other loved ones, and went singing into the arms of the Lord. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to the visitation and funeral service to be held at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, January 15. Visitation at the church begins at noon, with the service at 2:00. Private interment to follow. To view or sign the family guestbook, please visit www.greenwoodfuneralhome.net