Ninette "Nini" Perrilliat Webster

Ninette “Nini” Perrilliat Webster, wife of over 50 years to Dr. Herman Dexter “Buddy” Webster Jr., died peacefully at her home in Pass Christian, MS on Sunday.

She was born in New Orleans on December 22, 1930 to Mr and Mrs William Charles Cole Claiborne Perrilliat, and lived there until Dr. Webster’s retirement, when they moved to Pass Christian.

She was a graduate of the Academy of the Sacred Heart and received an undergraduate degree in Spanish and French from Newcomb College of Tulane University. She later received a master’s degree in Religious Education from Loyola Institute of Ministry. 

She taught first grade while Dr. Webster was stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, FL, and on their return to Orleans parish, taught religious education to children. She was also Director of Religious Education at Holy Name. 

Nini was proficient in Spanish and spent a year living in Mexico City during her time at Newcomb. She loved Louisiana history, a passion she pursued in later years as an enthusiastic tour guide in New Orleans. She spent many laughter-filled hours baking blueberry pies and peanut butter cookies with her grandchildren. She was an effortless hostess, entertaining friends and family at countless dinner parties. A devout Catholic who relished private directed retreats, she attended Mass daily, and streamed her favorite masses at least twice a day during Covid. She kept fit by swimming daily with her best friend and cousin, Alice Perrier.

She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, the Junior League of New Orleans, and Pass Christian Yacht Club.

Nini established and maintained loving relationships with each individual grandchild and her numerous classmates and friends. Beloved mother of her five, joint favorite children: Wade Perrilliat Webster (Cheryl), Adele Webster à Brassard, Andrew Claiborne Webster, Catherine Webster Reidy (Jack), and James Cleveland Webster (Renee). Nini was adored by her 16 grandchildren: Dexter, Donald and David Webster; Louis, William and Celeste à Brassard; Ellie and Claiborne Webster; Adair Reidy Mitchell (Andrew), Jack (Maura), Clay and Mimi Reidy; and James Jr., Madeline, Anne Louise and Catherine Webster. She is also survived by her great grandchild Amelie Mitchell, her two younger brothers, Louis Perrilliat and Claiborne Perrilliat (Jeanie), her cousin Alice Perrier, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family that she also adored.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Memorial services on Friday, December 2 at 3pm at Most Holy Name of Jesus in New Orleans, and on Saturday, December 3 at 10:30am at Mother of Mercy, Pass Christian, MS. The Friday service will be streamed online via the Holy Name of Jesus website, and subsequently will be available on YouTube.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Most Holy Name of Jesus Church (St Charles Ave.) Mother of Mercy Church (Pass Christian) or the Academy of the Sacred Heart.

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