Anne Marie Estelle de Monsabert Antoine

ANTOINE Anne Marie Estelle de Monsabert Antoine, known throughout her life as Tootsie, passed away on March 11, 2009, at home in the company of her close family. She was 84 years old. Married to the late Noel Wright Antoine for almost 30 years, Tootsie was the mother of six children: Shannon Louise Antoine, Shelley Rose Antoine, Wendy Joan Antoine Ganser, Michael William Antoine, Patrick Murray Antoine, and Mary Johanna Antoine, who died as an infant. She was mother-in-law to Arleen Amadeo Antoine, Stacy Antoine, and Ronald Cyril Ganser, Sr. and the grandmother of six: Nicholas Noel, Christopher William and Rebecca Anne Ganser; Andrew Michael and Mallory Marie Antoine; and Skylr Antoine. Preceded in death by her brother Alexander de Monsabert and her sister Zulme de Monsabert Carlisi, she is also survived by one nephew, Lawrence Carlisi, and three nieces Andra de Monsabert Chase, Paulette de Monsabert Reilly, and Sheri Antoine Clasen, as well as numerous cousins, including Penny Smith McCrery and Karen Smith Riecke. The youngest child of the late Estelle Marie Smith and the late Arthur Charles de Monsabert, Tootsie graduated from Sacred Heart High School and lived most of her life in New Orleans, before moving to Lacombe about 12 years ago. She met and married her husband while they were both working at the Port of Embarkation during World War II. Tootsie always lived life to the fullest and especially enjoyed adventure travel. She visited Europe four times, seeking out the ancestral homes of her own and her husband's family, and also explored Iceland, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Trinidad, Morocco, Guatemala, Venezuela, and almost all the United States. While never published, she drafted three novels and was an avid reader. A member of the Northshore Bird Club who loved plants and wildlife, she was a collector of all things beautiful-antiques, rocks, jewelry, artwork, etc. Most of all she was happiest while spending time with her large and loving family. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral services at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home Chapel, 4747 Veterans Boulevard, Metairie, on Saturday, March 14, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. Interment will be in Metairie Cemetery. Friends may visit on Friday evening, March 13, 2009 from 6:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. and after 11:00 A.M. on Saturday. On-line guestbook available at www.mem.com.