Barbara Gannon Artopoeus' Obituary
Barbara Gannon Artopoeus beloved mother of Ellen Barrett Artopoeus died October 5, 2023, just 9 days shy of her 91st Birthday, (October 14, 1932) She is survived by her only Daughter Ellen (Les Cutrell), brothers, Charles Norris Gannon, and John Jogues Gannon (Mary) and predeceased by her husband of 53 years, John Barrett Artopoeus; parents, Bernard Anthony Gannon and Annette Norris Gannon; and siblings, Mary Annette Gannon, Bernard A. Gannon, and Thomas G. Gannon.
Barbara was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, attended St. Aloysius High School, graduated from the College of New Rochelle, New York, Class of 1955. Barbara was a reporter and then editor for The Asbury Park Press. It was there she met her Johnny. While at the Press Barbara won the prize from the New Jersey Daily Newspaper Women’s Association, for a feature story, in person coverage of Princess Margaret’s Royal Wedding in London at Westminster Abbey.
After raising her daughter, Barbara assisted in the Medical Inquiries and Services Section of Ciba Geigy Pharmaceutical firm, Summit NJ. (later Novartis) There she streamlined the standard replies to physicians’ inquiries.
Service to the Catholic Church was central to Barbara’s life. While President of the PTO at Holy Name School in Bloomfield, NJ, Barbara saved the local branch of the East Orange Public Library, citing its role as a safe and secure place for children from the local schools, to sit and read and do homework, before working mothers could pick up their children. That branch remains open to this day.
At St. Patrick Church, Chatham, NJ Barbara served in various positions, including, Secretary to the Council, the Parish RCIA team, H.O.S.T. Board Member, and Eucharistic Minister. Barbara alongside her husband, continued their work as RCIA instructors and Eucharistic Ministers at St. Anselm Church, Madisonville, LA and the outreach to the St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington. She created and wrote a welcome to the new St. Anselm Church, explaining the art and architecture and its liturgical context for RCIA members and others. Barbara and John were awarded the St. Louis Medallion from the Archdiocese of New Orleans, in 2008.
In addition to service to the Church, Barbara worked with the Chatham Advocacy Group for the Aging, which established the Chatham Senior Citizens Program. For many years, Barbara, tutored at the St. Tammany Literacy Assistance Program. Barbara was also a Member of Beau Chene Country Club, and the Mandeville Bridge Club.
Even in her final months, Barbara asked God what role or purpose did He have for her, and she brought laughter and connectedness to her friends and the staff at St. Anthony’s Gardens, Memory Care.
Barbara’s shining smile and light will be missed by all who knew her. She always said, “Every day is a Gift from God” and she lived her life accordingly.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W. 21st Avenue, Covington LA 70433 on Monday, October 16, 2023, at 11:00 AM with visitation on Monday beginning at 9:00 AM. Interment will follow in the Southeast LA Veterans Cemetery in Slidell, LA.
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