Lily Rose Chutz

Lily Rose Chutz passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 after a brief COVID-related illness.  She was 84 years old.
 
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 21, 1937, Lily was predeceased by her parents, Joseph A. Chutz and Rosalie Lucia Chutz.  She is survived by her five children Vincent S. Guttuso, III, David M. Guttuso (Linda), Anne M. Martin (Richard), Michael G. Guttuso (Rhonda), and Darren J. Guttuso; five grandchildren Jennifer R. Guttuso, Brandon M. Guttuso, Lindsay Guttuso Carr (Tony), Rachel Guttuso Reeves (David), and Kristen E. Dautenhahn; five great-grandchildren Beaux, Emersyn and Colt Guillot, Athena Guttuso, and Ella Rose Reeves; and her cousins Anna May, Michael, Melissa and Elizabeth Lucia.
 
Lily grew up on Canal Street and attended Sacred Heart High School (Class of 1954).  She graduated from Dominican College in 1958, earning a business degree. After college, she worked for the Shell Oil Company. A loving mother, she later returned to college to earn a degree in education that allowed her to be home with her children after school, for holidays, and for the summer.  She was a teacher in the St. Bernard School District for 27 years, initially at Millaudon Middle School and then at Arabi Park Middle School.  She held dear her teacher friends, many of them life-long friends, and they could often be found in the backyard pool doing water aerobics.  Lily retired from teaching in 1999.  Retirement gave her some well-deserved time for herself, and she enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and traveling around the world with her dear friends.
 
Lily was a devout Catholic and passed on her love and devotion to God to her children.  Her daily journal begins "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening."  She was especially devoted to our Blessed Mother.  Each of her five children cherished the weekday when she prayed specifically for them, their spouses, their children and for anyone and everyone who was a part of their lives.  The power of a praying Mother! 
 
She was a long-time member of The Center of Jesus The Lord in New Orleans, where she ministered to the homeless  and volunteered in the church office. She also attended St. Luke Catholic Church in Slidell, was a member of the parish's Senior Citizen's Club, and loved baking for their annual St. Joseph's Altar.  Lily dedicated countless hours to the Beginning Experience Ministry of greater New Orleans that supports separated, divorced and widowed persons through the grief process.  She also briefly served as the Taylor's Trace Homeowner's Association treasurer.
 
Lily was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and cousin and a singularly remarkable woman. Her inner strength was a testament to her faithfulness to our Lord and continues to shine in her children and grandchildren.  She survived breast cancer only to be taken from us by COVID, but God is sovereign and our trust is in Him, Who made heaven and earth. 
 
Visitation will be Friday, February 12, 2021 from 10:30 - 11:30 AM at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church (1235 Louisiana Avenue, New Orleans) followed by a funeral mass at 11:30 AM.  Interment will be at St. Louis #3 Cemetery (3421 Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans).  Lily's family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Due to COVID 19 regulations, please follow the current restrictions. Everyone attending is required to wear a mask and adhere to social distancing.

The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online, at www.greenwoodfh.com

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