Rita Winter Herbert

Rita Winter Herbert passed away peacefully at her home in River Ridge, LA on March 25, 2025 at the age of 96. She was born Rita Maria Winter ("Rita Mae") on December 29, 1928 in New Orleans to Edward Anton Winter and Rosalie Cuevas Winter and was an alumnus of Holy Name of Jesus School, Dominican High School, and Loyola University where she earned a Medical Technician degree. After marrying Dr. Frank Leonard Herbert, DDS, they lived in Pensacola, FL and the island of Trinidad from 1949 to 1954 while Frank served in the U.S. Navy Dental Service, and the first two of their seven children were born in Trinidad. They returned to New Orleans after the war and had five more children while living first in Airline Park and later in sparsely developed River Ridge.
Rita was a full-time homemaker, an exceptional cook, and an active member of St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Church in River Ridge. She and Frank loved taking their young family on summer camping trips across the U.S. and later enjoyed fishing, relaxing, and spending time with family and friends at their beloved camp on Sportsman's Lake in Lakeshore, Mississippi. Rita loved playing tennis with other homemaker friends in the neighborhood, and had a passion for antique furniture with a house adorned with beautiful antiques. After the kids were grown, Rita and her sister Nathalie opened Backporch Antiques in Harahan where they restored and sold antique furniture and made many happy memories. Rita was Frank's better half when they traveled around the country for his dental conferences and she loved to visit her many grandchildren in New Orleans, Bay St. Louis, Longview, Salt Lake City, and Los Angeles.
Rita was predeceased by her parents and husband of 66 years, Frank. She is survived by her sister Nathalie Willig; seven children: Stephanie Kenning (Walter), Susan Tucker (Danny), Edward Herbert (Mona), Frank Herbert, Jr. (Ellen), Renee Boxx (Drew), Rob Herbert (Teri), Martin Herbert; 17 grandchildren: Lauren Beasley, Jeremy Tucker, Abigail Kenning, Carlton Herbert, Michael Herbert, Robyn Long, Brendan Kenning, Gavin Kenning, Quinn Kenning, Will Boxx, Scott Tucker, Granston Boxx, Mary Alexis Boxx, Kyle Herbert, Trent Herbert, Zach Herbert, and Anna Grace Boxx; 22 great-grandchildren: Ellis, Oliver, Daphne, and Scarlett Beasley; Lilly, Bly, and Finn Tucker; Caleb Boxx and Tripp Johnson; Hadley, Rowan, and Winter Long; Sidney and Elida Kenning; Cannon Kenning; Everly and Colette Boxx; Henry and Jack Tucker; Lennon and Eli Boxx; Taryn Herbert; and one great-great-grandchild: Jet Boxx.
Visitation will be held on Friday April 4, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Church at 10021 Jefferson Highway in River Ridge, LA, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 PM. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery, 4900 Airline Drive, Metairie, LA with a reception in the funeral home afterwards. Rita's family would like to thank Barbara Deris and the staff of St. Francis Villa for the compassionate care they provided Rita during her last year, and Passages Hospice for their comfort and support for Rita in her last days. To express condolences please visit www.gardenofmemoriesmetairie.com.
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