Olive Le Rouge

LE ROUGE Olive Le Rouge, departed this life on Sunday, April 21, 2013. A life-long New Orleans resident who did much to help others in need, died of natural causes on Sunday at her home on General Pershing St. She was 89 years old. Affectionately known as "Honey," she was, according to her daughter Pat Jolly, "a beautiful human being." A former Navy nurse during World War II, Honey dedicated her life to being of service. Her church volunteer work included Home Bound, a program she created and ran for three decades. She recruited 30 people to bring literature to elderly shut ins, provide assistance with simple errands and spend time visiting with those in need of friendship. She also devoted her time to providing recreational opportunities to mentally challenged children by utilizing her church's gym and she helped serve an orphanage the church sponsored. When Honey learned that seasonal employees of the Fair Grounds were given inadequate living conditions, she organized a church effort to provide home-cooked meals and sponsor outreach gatherings. Despite being bound to a wheel chair in her later years, Honey remained a dedicated Mardi Gras parade-goer. As an "all day every dayer" at Jazz Fest for more than three decades, she reigned from the same spot at the Economy Hall tent as a sort of "queen of the scene," according to her daughter: "Many of our friends and most of the musicians would stop by for a hug or kiss and a little visit, when time allowed." Beloved mother of Patricia "Pat" Booth Jolly; Grandmother of Patrick Scott Jolly, Jennifer Jolly Tallo and Judd Caldwell Jolly; Also survived by five great grandchildren and her two dogs; Daughter of the late Irene Wilder Wilkins and Jerome Whipple. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Homegoing Celebration at DW Rhodes Chapel, 3933 Washington Ave. on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 12:00 pm; Visitation will begin at 10:00 am; Interment: Metairie Cemetery; Repast at Café Istanbul. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the guestbook.