Ruth Mae Calzada

Ruth Mae Calzada, a lifelong resident of Gretna, LA passed away on Monday, August 22, 2011 at the age of 88. She was born on April 23, 1923 to the late Lawrence J. Calzada and Helen Gruhler Calzada. Sister of the late Helen Calzada Kerner. Ruthie is survived by her loving family, Niece, Jo Ann Kerner Olsen (Husband Donald); four grand nieces, Karen O. Strawn (Husband Scott), Kerri O. Dantin (Husband Gerard), Donna O. Dantin (Husband Thomas) and Suzanne O. Miller (Husband David); and nine great grand nieces and nephews, Rachel and Philip Strawn, Dari and Kersti Dantin, Nicholas and Ellie Dantin, Alexandra and David Miller and Thomas Kerner, Jr. Ruth was an educator on the Westbank of Jefferson Parish for 39 years, teaching at Gretna High School (1944-1955), Gretna Junior High (1955-1966), Lower Lafitte Elementary (Principal-6th Grade 1966-1967), Catherine Strehle Elementary (Principal 1967-1968), L.W. Higgins High School (Assistant Principal 1968-1983). Her resume included a B.A. in Education (1944) from H. Sophie Newcomb College of Tulane University, P.E. Certification (1949) from Northwestern State College, Master of Science (1954) from the University of Tennessee, Masters plus 30 (1966) from Tulane University and Juris Doctor (1981) from Loyola University. As a coach, Ruth shared her athletic talents with many beloved athletes. Within three years as a teacher and coach at her alma mater, Gretna High School, she brought her girls’ teams to championships on softball, basketball and volleyball (1947). To encourage girls’ athletic activities in Gretna, Ruth organized a Varsity Club which sponsored programs to provide awards to female athletes. Ruth was a lifelong member of the Alpha Delta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. She was also a member of the American Bar Association, the Louisiana Bar Association, the German Heritage Cultural and Genealogical Society of Louisiana and the Gretna Historical Society. Ruth’s family would like to extend their sincere thanks to Serenity Hospice and to all of Ruth’s caregivers, Gladys Belcher, Dana Andrus, Jo Ann Gallagher, Shanna Shaw, Cynthia Keyes and Chris Aaron. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation at MOTHE FUNERAL HOME, 2100 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, LA on Saturday, August 27, 2011 from 9AM until 12PM. Funeral Services will be held at the funeral home on Saturday at 12PM with Rev. Kelly Bedard officiating. Interment will be in Hook and Ladder Cemetery, Gretna, LA. In lieu of flowers, donations may b e made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 620 Eliza Street, New Orleans, LA 70114 or to the Elaine Duvic Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 236, Westwego, LA 70096.