Lois Pfister Hart

On April 2, 2023, Lois Ann Pfister Hart left this world surrounded by her loved ones after a brave fight with varying health complications. Born on July 8, 1937, in New Orleans to Louis and Edith Pfister. Lois was a life-long New Orleanian who attended Sacred Heart High School on Canal, where she developed life-long friendships, a deep love for reading, and a flair for the dramatics: acting in several plays. Lois was a believer in love-at-first sight; stealing a dance with her best friend’s date, her future husband, at a party. Lois and Emile James Hart were married on October 26, 1957, and settled in Metairie, where they raised four children together: Valerie Hart-Sirrine, Alicia Hart Obermeyer, Lawrence Michael Hart, and Cheryl Hart Helm. While Lois held several jobs (including one she took to prove a point), by far, the most challenging and rewarding job she held was being a mother to her four, beloved children. If being a mother was her favorite job, being a grandmother was a close second. Lois loved every second of spending summers with her three grandchildren: Robert, Rachel, and Rebecca Helm. She hosted countless sleepovers at her home; spoiling them with desserts, crafts she proudly hung on her walls, and fantastical games of imagination in her “secret garden.” Lois took every opportunity she had to instill in her grandchildren some of her passions and hobbies: a love for God, reading, and a strong imagination; which her grandchildren proudly share today. Lois was kind, smart, and loyal: she loved boundlessly and selflessly, which is so evident in her friendships stretching several decades and in her close bond with her family. She had an incredible way of knowing exactly what all her loved ones needed at any given moment: whether that was a sarcastic, witty joke, cocktails and music on Sundays, or even a phone call that could stretch for hours just to catch up. She was servant-hearted with a deep love for God: spending countless hours volunteering at St. Benilde Church in Metairie as well as Ochsner Medical Center. Lois also had a contagious zest for life: known for never shying away from an adventure. In fact, Lois enjoyed vacationing everywhere from La Jolla and Las Vegas, to Hawaii and even Indonesia. She loved everything from jazz and classical music, to Frank Sinatra and Jimmy Buffett. She was brave and independent. In fact, Lois loved the challenge of proving those who doubted her wrong. In the words of her favorite singer, when it came to life, she did it her way. While she will be missed terribly by those who love her on Earth, she is undoubtedly reunited with all her loved ones and Christ in Heaven. Lois is survived by her daughters Valerie Hart-Sirrine, Alicia Hart Obermeyer, and Cheryl Hart Helm (Bob Helm); her grandchildren Robert, Rachel, and Rebecca Helm; and countless other assorted family and many caring friends. Lois is preceded in death by her husband, Emile Hart; her son, Lawrence Hart; and her son-in-laws, Alan Sirrine and August Obermeyer. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Visitation and Funeral Mass on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at St. Benilde Catholic Church. 1901 Division St., Metairie, LA 70001. Visitation from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm followed by a Funeral Mass at 12:30 pm. Internment will be held at Greenwood Cemetery, New Orleans LA In lieu of flowers, Masses preferred or Memorial donations may be given to the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, or St. Benilde Church in Metairie, Louisiana.

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Lois Pfister Hart

July 8, 1937 - April 2, 2023