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Helen Centanni Obituary

Helen Wiggin Centanni, age 69, of New Orleans, Louisiana passed away on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Helen Wiggin Centanni's legacy in life is her unwavering love for her husband Ro, her son Philip, her brother Buddy, her sisters Pat, Dottie & Ann, and her nieces and nephews. Helen's professional legacy is an exceptional career in broadcast communications where she broke the glass ceiling as one of the very first camera women in New Orleans television. Her sharp intellect, creative spirit and passion for community soon caught the attention of the nation's highest ranking local news station, WWL-TV, where she would become one of Angela Hill's producers on the Angela Hill Show. After years booking world-class talent for Angela, Helen joined Entercom Communications as Promotions Director for the Big 870AM, WWL Radio and Kool 95.7FM. In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina, and its aftermath, threatened to forever destroy the Crescent City, setting in motion a dream team collaboration between Helen, Garland Robinette and a powerhouse station hailed around the world as the "lifeline sent by airwaves" WWL Radio. Together, the entire WWL team had one mission: to bring New Orleans back from the grips of destruction. Taking on the role of executive producer for Garland, Helen played an integral role in helping WWL drive the recovery and rebirth of the city and community she loved dearly. In recent years, Helen produced the Newell Normand Show for WWL until ALS sidelined her in June 2022. Since her 2020 diagnosis, Helen bravely fought ALS as her son, her husband, her family, coworkers and community fought right alongside her. Helen will always be remembered for her joyful spirit, her passion for Disney and the Saints, her carrot cake and cookies, and her service to the people and city of New Orleans… And she was the best mom in the world! A visitation for Helen will be held Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124. A funeral service will occur Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124. A reception will occur Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks if you would make a donation to teamgleason.org or donate.als.org. To view and sign the online guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Times-Picayune from Mar. 16 to Mar. 17, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Helen Centanni

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6 Entries

C. Brown

December 31, 2024

To the Centanni family, you have my deepest sympathy. Helen was a pleasant woman who loved her family, career and life.

Colleen Hoover

March 23, 2024

May God Bless you at this time of loss. Helen was a lovely person and one always felt happy in her presence. I have fond memories of Helen at Fr.Karl Peterson´s birthday celebration. To & Phillip and family you will be in our prayers. Colleen Early Hoover & Byron Hoover

Jill Hopkins

March 23, 2024

A beautiful person who always smiled and had a great attitude. Lived not far from us when I was younger. Her mom and my mom knew each other from the Music Gals. Heaven is lucky to get a beautiful person. RIP Helen.

Susan Bosworth Revels

March 22, 2024

My sweet friend is making everyone in heaven laugh! May she rest in peace and we will all Jazzer-miss her

Sandra Dartus

March 22, 2024

Helen was amazing! I worked with her during my days at French Quarter Festivals, Inc. on numerous festivals and events, as well as other projects through the years. She was always professional and fun and although we didn't see each other often, I considered her a friend as well as a colleague. You don't find many people like Helen these days. My heart goes out to her family.

Mark W Bonner

March 17, 2024

Helen was the consummate professional in every way. I interacted with her on many occasions in lining up interviews with Ronnie Lamarque and others. She was always very pleasant and accommodating.

This is a big loss for WWL 870 and more importantly her family.

There will never be another Helen at WWL radio. She created a legacy that will shine for decades to come.

I hope WWL names one of their studios after her as an everlasting tribute to her dedicated service to the station.

May God Bless her family.

Mark W Bonner

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Mar

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Visitation

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries

5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124

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Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries

5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124

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