Edith Berry Romagosa

Edith Dean Berry Romagosa, 86, of Metairie, Louisiana, began her new journey with The Lord March 11, 2021.  Edith is the loving mother of David (Lucia), Gennifer (Domenick Marino), Garland, and Garnet “Missy” (Jaime Gonzalez).  She is survived by her grandchildren, Natalie Bass, Caitlin Romagosa, Jillian Pace (Marshall), Melanie and Amanda Marino, Madison Romagosa, and Matthew and Abigail Gonzalez; and step-grandchild, Tiffanie Lapene (David); and her great grandchildren, Benjamin and Noah Bass and step-great grandchildren Emma and Aidan Lapene. She is also survived by her former daughters-in-law, Julie Romagosa and Monique Romagosa, and many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews from California to Florida.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Garland Claude Romagosa; her parents, William and Aline (nee Carpenter) Berry; and her sisters Helen Samson (Charles) and Vivian Dreher (Tom); her grand son-in-law David Bass; and a host of dear friends whom she always remembered fondly.

A native of Amite, LA, Edith learned sign language at an early age to communicate with her deaf parents, a skill used throughout her life.  After graduating from Amite High School in 1953 she moved to New Orleans, LA, where she worked as an operator at Bell South.  She volunteered at the First Baptist Church of New Orleans on St. Charles Avenue as a translator for the hearing impaired. In October 1954, she was honored to serve as the sign language translator for the Billy Graham Crusade to over 10,000 people at Pelican Stadium.

Following a whirlwind courtship, her future husband proposed to her under the sprawling oak tree behind Ye Old College Inn. The pair were married on December 29, 1956, and shortly after moved to Metairie where they were known for their legendary New Year's Eve parties.  

She dedicated herself to being a wife and mother, and service to others.  Though she rarely shared her talent, she was an artist and was particularly astute at still life drawings. She encouraged all of her children in the arts, filling the house with music, artwork, and books. As her children grew older, she took on a new career at D. H. Holmes in Lakeside Shopping Center, where worked for over 16 years.

She loved to travel. Perhaps her most memorable trip was to Medjugorje, a religious pilgrimage site in the former Yugoslavia, where she was blessed with the miracle of the sun.  Several years later, she hosted a welcome reception at her home for Mirjana Dragicevic, one of the visionaries.

She belonged to Beta Sigma Phi Sorority serving as the Chapter Historian. She founded the Rose Garden Coffee Club, and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary, Rose Garden Card Club, Lakeshore Golden Agers, and Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. She served as the New Orleans Hostess for the U.S.S. Hoggat Bay Reunion shortly following Hurricane Katrina, helping to boost the morale and economy of Jefferson Parish, where more than 400 WWII Veterans and their families gathered.

Edith will be remembered as a sweet, kind, and loving lady who put others before herself. People flocked to her because of her warm and welcoming personality as she exemplified the adage; Others may not remember what you say, but they will remember how you made them feel.  Edith made us all feel special and that was her gift. 

She will be dearly missed by her children. 

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