Barbara Deitch Ricks

1936 - 2024

Barbara Deitch Ricks passed away at home surrounded by her family after a brief illness. She was born in November, 1936 at Southern Baptist Hospital in New Orleans, the first of three daughters to Austin and Beulah Deitch. She began her schooling at Holy Name of Jesus in New Orleans, graduating from high school in 1954. Barbara attended LSU and graduated from LSUNO in 1969 with an Education degree in Secondary Education. While attending college and raising three children, she worked for the National American Bank (Governor Claiborne Office) as a Collections Teller until graduation. In the mid 70's, Barbara married Paul Ricks, the love of her life, remaining married until his passing. Barbara began her teaching career at Booker T. Washington, sharing a love for teaching with her youngest sister Carolyn, also a teacher. She joined the United Teachers of New Orleans (UTNO) becoming an union activist, serving on the UTNO Executive Board and on its Collective Bargaining team, heading its efforts for high school counselors. While teaching, Barbara attended night classes earning a Masters in Counseling from Southern University of Mississippi in Hattiesburg. She left teaching becoming a guidance counselor, staying at Booker T. She was beloved by her students guiding them to understand "they were braver than they believed, stronger then they seemed, and smarter than they thought." Barbara was tasked by the OPPS administration to create the School Business Partnership Program (SBPP) for OPPS partnering a New Orleans' Business with each of its 110 schools. It was challenging, but she believed creating excellence didn't happen without hard work. SBPP was a major success bringing in millions of dollars in funds, services, and equipment, along with excellent mentoring programs, and an annual Championship Breakfast that honored students who excelled in their studies. Upon retirement Barbara moved to the Covington/Folsom area to be close to her three children and grandchildren. Family was everything to her. She designed her home, and supervised its building. She had a great love for gardening - designing and planting the gardens surrounding her home, also decorating her home inside and out for each holiday. Barbara was an avid reader, and belonged to a small Northshore book club comprised of treasured friends. She dabbled in art taking up oil and water color painting at a local art studio, decorating her walls with many of her paintings. Involved in genealogy, she and her sister Janice traced their family roots back to the early 1600's determined to learn of their family's history. While her children were young, she traveled America with them sharing the history of our country - very much the history buff. Later she would travel the world with her husband Paul, also taking her mother and disabled father on trips before their passing - her life always filled with family. She loved animals, adopted dogs, but later in life became a cat fancier taking in those unwanted by others. Barbara's history is one of a life well lived, replete with love of family, and a commitment to make her small piece of the world better. Barbara leaves behind her loving family: Son, Richard Waits (Tammy), Daughter, Valerie Fuller (Pat) and Timothy Waits (Chris), twelve grandchildren, and twenty-five great-grandchildren. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Austin and Beulah Deitch, her husband Paul Ricks, and her sisters, Janice Young and Carolyn Cresson. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass on Thursday, Oct. 19th at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 West 21st Avenue, Covington, LA 70433. Visitation begins at 12 PM, and Mass at 1:30 PM.