Phyllis Ann Ditta

1939 - 2022

On Thursday, February 10, 2022, Phyllis Ann Ditta, passed away at the age of 82. Phyllis was born on July 7, 1939, in New Orleans to Carlo Ditta & Felicia Trupiano, both preceding her in death. She is preceded in death by older brother, Joseph (Jay) Carlo Ditta & survived by sisters: Lillian Uhl (John) & Rosalyn Gaude (Rusty); aunt, Shirley Ditta, 6 children: Phyllis Gildea, Melanie Andrews, Richard Andrews, Jr., Alexis Andrews, Loretta Woolfolk & Truman Woolfolk; 11 grandchildren: Trevor Gildea (Emily), Elizabeth Gildea, Emily Ortega (Ivan), Marlee Baerg (Matt), Hannah Andrews, Gary Stratton, Maesie Andrews, Hunter Renneberg, Bryleigh Andrews, Aidan Andrews, & Tabitha King; 16 great-grandchildren, and numerous beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. Phyllis grew up on the Westbank with a large loving extended family nearby. She participated early in family business, Carlo Ditta, Inc., where she was Corporate Treasurer for over 60 years, and engaged in a variety of food related enterprises. Phyllis received from Dominican College a B.S in Food & Nutrition in 1961 and a B.A. in Education in 1967. In 1959, she married Richard John Adams Andrews. They had 4 children: Phyllis, Melanie, Richard, Jr. & Alexis. Though divorced for decades, in their last years both revealed a long-standing love and deep affection for each other. In 1971 she married Joel Woolfolk. They had 2 children, Loretta & Truman, and operated a restaurant and a concrete pumping business. After their marriage ended in 1974, Phyllis relocated to Los Angeles & opened Italia Express-o, a gourmet restaurant. She also did food consulting and lecturing, public relations, was a contributing food writer to the Times- Picayune, Italian-American Digest and others, and volunteered with Rotary Club. After Hurricane Katrina she worked with Algiers Rotary Club to replace trees lining the entrance to City Park. She became a Louisiana Master Gardener and donated time to local beautification projects. The family would like to thank her home caregiving staff for the last year as they made possible Phyllis' wish to be home during Covid related isolation. The UMC inpatient hospice caregivers kept her as comfortable as possible in her last 10 days. To all who cared for and supported Phyllis throughout her life, we offer our most humble appreciation. For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/PhyllisDitta. Visitation: Tuesday, February 22, 2022, 8:30 to 10:15 am at St. Joseph's Church in Gretna (610 6th St.) followed by Catholic funeral mass at 10:30. Interment following at Westlawn Cemetery. Cards, condolences & correspondence should be sent to: Family of Phyllis Ditta c/o Melanie Andrews, 621 Dolhonde St. Gretna, LA 70053.