Jean Harris Gonzales

Jean Mary Harris Gonzales died peacefully on October 25, 2021, at the age of 89 years old. A native of New Orleans and resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Jean was the daughter of the late Lucy Guédry Harris and the late Lee Harris. She was preceded in death by husband, Edwin C. Gonzales, Sr., twin sister Joan Mary Harris, brother Westmoreland Laurence Harris, sister Dorothy Lee Harris Dupuy, sister-in-law Dixie Hutcheson Harris and brother-in-law Eugene Dupuy, Jr.

A beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she is survived by her children Solange Gonzales Dunn (Michael); Edwin C. Gonzales, Jr. (Jeannine); Dorothy Gonzales Carter (Glen); Claire Gonzales Simon (André); and Steven M. Gonzales (Patrice). Jean, better known as “Granky” to her grandchildren, has the eternal love of her eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren: Vanessa Swaim Joffe (Sean); Edwin Charles, III (Charlie) (Liz), Westmoreland (Wes) (Claire), Gabrielle (Gabby) and Sebastian Gonzales; Elizabeth and Andrew Carter; Nathan Simon; and Meredith, Liam and Margot Jean Joffe. She will always be remembered for her humor, her generosity, her unconditional love, her service to family, her superior claw machine skills, her snippets of wisdom and her sweet and funny “Happy Birthday” phone call duets with Aunt Joan.

A life-long New Orleans resident, Jean grew up in Lakeview, attended Lakeview School and graduated from Eleanor McMain High School. Jean was an employee of South Central Bell Telephone Company before raising her children and later operated a transportation service for students at the St. Joseph Montessori School, Townhouse Preschool and St. Frances Cabrini. She was a member of St. Frances Cabrini Parish from its inception until Hurricane Katrina.

A Catholic, Jean was the embodiment of the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. She was a selfless caretaker for those around her including her mother, her husband and siblings. She always spoke up for what she believed, whether it was at a school board meeting, in the community, or by helping someone on the street. The house was always open and troubled friends were often found sleeping on a sofa. She was a role model to be emulated.

Jean’s family would like to thank the caregivers who accompanied Jean, especially Alice Walker, Gertrude Morris, Nikki Calloway and the staff at Our House for Respite for their gentle and loving ways.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at 12:15 PM on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 in the J. Garic Schoen Chapel of Jacob Schoen & Son Funeral Home, 3827 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119. Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM.  Interment will follow in Hope Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Alzheimer’s research www.alz.org, Sisters of St. Joseph sjabr.org, or Blessed Margaret of Castello REACH (Religious Education for All Children) Program https://diobr.org/special-education.

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