DOMINICA ‘GRACE’ RISO BENFATTI
Dominica “Grace” Riso Benfatti, a resident of Slidell, Louisiana since 2005, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 12, 1933. She is the daughter of Vincent Riso and Antionette Graffia Riso Andrews. Grace passed from this life and onto the next on January 9, 2023. She lived 89 incredible, loved-filled, and dynamic years. Her greatest passion was the love of her life, John “Johnny” Benfatti, to whom she was married for 68 blessed years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Vincent and Antionette Riso, and sister, Virginia R. Benfatti.
Grace is survived by her beloved husband, Johnny Benfatti; sister, Carmella Melerine (Johnny); and brother, Joseph Riso (Francis). She is the beloved aunt of many nieces and nephews, in addition to great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Grace graduated from Annunciation High in 1952 and was a loyal member of Annunciation Alumni. Grace worked over 40 years for the Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans in various positions such as personnel and payroll and the last 30 years as Assistant Director of the S&WB Employee Credit Union.
Grace’s passion was porcelain china painting. She was a member of Southern Guild China Painters, the Int’l Porcelain Art Teachers, Louisiana Porcelain Art Guild, and the Saint John of the Cross Ladies Guild. Grace was always happy and smiling with such a genuine spirit of love, generosity, and compassion. Her infectious laugh and kind-hearted gestures will be missed by all those she touched. Grace spent many nights sitting in hospitals with family and friends and still went to work the next day. She was especially devoted and loyal to her family and friends and she dearly loved her Colorado family too.
Uncle Johnny would like to express his gratitude to Aunt Grace’s nieces and nephews and a special thanks to Anthony and his wife, Cynthia Benfatti, along with Grace’s dearest friend, Sue Gibbs, for their wonderful help and constant support.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, January 27, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church located at 61030 Brier Lake in Lacombe, LA 70445. A Funeral Mass will begin at 11 am. Following Mass, a celebration of Grace’s life will be held at Monsignor Francis Boeshans Community Center. Grace will be laid to rest in the Southeast Louisiana Veteran’s Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Grace’s honor to Sisters of the Most Holy Sacraments, P.O. Box 90037 Lafayette, LA 70509-0037. Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.AudubonFuneralHome.com
Audubon Funeral Home Obituary Listings
(For information on services, contact Audubon at 985-645-0600 or online at: audubonfuneralhome.com)
Carol Schloegel Currier, age 76, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Friday, January 13, 2023.
A native of New Orleans, she graduated from Nicholls High School and had a career as an office manager with Currier & Roser, Inc.
She enjoyed dancing and traveling.
Joseph V. Soileau, age 85, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Saturday, January 14, 2023.
Born in Washington, LA, he had a career as a mathematician and was employed with Dupont, Chrysler, General Electric, the Corps of Engineers and the Navy Research Lab.
He enjoyed fishing and working in his vegetable garden during his spare time.
Honaker Funeral Home Obituary Listings
(For more information on services, contact Honaker at 985-641-1900 or online at: honakerforestlawn.com)
Commander John R. Erickson, Sr., age 90, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Wednesday, January 18, 2023.
A native of Key West, FL, he graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1957 and served for over 20 years, including stints in Vietnam, in the South Pacific, aboard the USCG Cutter Cherokee and other Coast Guard vessels along the East Coast.
He was a liaison officer for the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, then came to Slidell and worked at the NOAA Data Buoy Office, now known as Stennis.
He also worked for ODECO in New Orleans and spent many years working with the Sea Explorer Post in Slidell.
Bruce Raymond Hart, Jr., age 66, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2023.
He served his country as a security specialist in the Air Force and later as a law enforcement officer, having worked over 30 years with multiple agencies. After retirement he stayed busy working at Lowe’s.
Doris Mae Rancatore Hickman, age 89, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Saturday, January 21, 2023.
A native of New Orleans, she was married for 73 years in supporting her husband in the Navy and New Orleans Recreation.
She worked at Zimmer’s Seafood and was considered a second mom to many at Digby Playground.
Anne Marie Olsen, age 59, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Saturday, January 14 2023.
A native of new Orleans and a longtime resident of Slidell, she was a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.
She was a faithful Catholic who championed the Rosary and was also an avid Saints and LSU fan. Though handicapped, she worked at Stennis Space Center, digitizing maps for NAVY Oceanographic and helping others in the STARC community.
Shirley Matthews, age 92, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Saturday, January 14, 2023.
She was born in New Orleans and was a longtime resident of Slidell.
Johnathan “Joshua” Cole Trotter, age 26, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Sunday, January 15, 2023.
A native of Covington, LA, he graduated from Camp Shelby Challenge Academy as an awarded cadet and had a career as an assistant manager in the furniture industry.
He enjoyed watching MMA boxing, AEW wrestling, was an avid Philadelphia Flyers hockey fan, Celtic music enthusiast, avid gamer and daily listener to the Tim Pool Podcast.