Vita Rita "Sister" Zeringue

It is with heavy hearts that the family of St. Rose native, Vita Rita “Sister” Zeringue (née Gilardi), born February 11, 1934, announces her passing. The Lord called her home peacefully in her sleep on August 15, 2025, at the age of 91. She is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Nancy Gilardi (née Bonura); her first husband, Achille Lemoine and second husband, Warren Zeringue; and all her siblings: Joseph “Bud” Gilardi, Anthony “A.J.” Gilardi, Samuel “Sonny” Gilardi, Benny “Pat” Gilardi, Gasper Gilardi, and Manuella “Bae” LeBlanc. She is survived by her children, Chay Lemoine, Deborah Benton (née Lemoine; in memoriam, spouse, Glenn), and Sharon Weinert (née Zeringue; spouse, Jürgen); grandchildren, Jenelle Cummings (Adam), Brian Weinert (Mary), and Taylor Benton (Alexandria); six great-grandchildren, Lukah Cummings, Callen Cummings, Blakely Cummings, Palmer Cummings, Evelyn Weinert, and Gracynn Benton; and many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend their utmost gratitude to her godchild, Gina Brewer (née LeBlanc), her caregivers with NOLA Home Care, Notre Dame Hospice, and the staff at St. Anna’s Nursing Care. Many thanks to the family’s longtime friend, Father Tom Bouterie, for performing last rites and blessing her as she prepared to greet the Lord. He told her “your bags are packed. You’re going on the greatest trip of your life”. Rita lived her entire life in six houses on the same street of St. Rose, LA. Nearly every day she would ride her bike and chat with neighbors, bringing home tomatoes, pecans, crawfish, shrimp, and just about anything that would fit in her basket. During her tenure working the voting polls or working concourse security checkpoints at New Orleans International Airport she made many friends and memories which she would often recall with family and visitors in hilarious stories. She enjoyed traveling and going to the casino with her friends, but her greatest joy was her family. Memories of the smell of her famous roast and creamed potatoes when you walked in the door (and fried dough in the morning!) will forever live in our hearts. She was a true Italian grandmother; no one ever went hungry in her house. Every visitor heard her mantra right away: "Wash your hands!" There was no doubt it was her way or the highway. For the rest of her story, as Rita would say, “...it's none of your business.” She captured the hearts of many during her 91 years, and her sense of humor and charm will be dearly missed. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Visitation and Funeral Service at L. A. Muhleisen & Son Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. Visitation from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Service at 11:30 a.m. Interment in St. Charles Borromeo Cemetery, Destrehan, LA. To share memories or condolences, please visit www.muhleisen.com

Tributes

Vita Rita "Sister" Zeringue

February 11, 1934 - August 15, 2025