Teacher and volunteer Betty Weil rites held Tuesday morning

BETTY JEAN ROSEN WEIL, a volunteer and homemaker, passed away on Sunday, June 24, 2018, at the age of 88.

A native of Ft. Worth, Miss Betty, as she was known to most of her students, graduated from Paschal High School before earning a bachelor’s degree in Education from Newcomb College, where she was elected to an honorary organization in history and education. She later returned to Tulane to receive a master’s degree in Education with honors in history and education.

She was a teacher and consultant in the original Head Start program and taught kindergarten in several public schools. Most of her teaching career was spent at Isidore Newman and, later, Louise S. McGehee School. She was director of the Jewish Community Center’s Nursery School, overseeing the expansion of its hours into the afternoon. She developed the Early Childhood Certification Program for Loyola University while teaching there and created and opened the Child Care Center on campus.

Her community interests included serving as president of the Hynes Elementary School PTA and spending several years on the board. She held several leadership roles with the Sisterhood of Touro Synagogue and the Sisterhood of Shir Chadash Conservative Congregation. Weil was also a  member of the National Council of Jewish Women and worked with the oldest synagogue in America, Touro Synagogue of Newport, Rhode Island.

She enjoyed the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Friends of Music, theatre, and was especially taken with the New Orleans Ballet Association. As a member of New Orleans Museum of Art, she served as a docent for 16 years including a term as president of the Docent Board. Weil was also a member of the Southern Louisiana Chapter of Romance Writers of America.

Passionate about genealogy, Betty traced her family roots back to the late 1400s. She also loved travel, often meeting distant relatives on journeys to the countries of her ancestors. Always active in life, she slowed in her later years, she did not let limited mobility stop her pursuit of many interests and relationships.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Donald M. Weil; her four children, Dr. Michael M. Weil (Dr. MaryJane) of Ft. Collins, CO., Lisa B. Weil of Boston, Leslie Weil and Dr. John Mark Weil (partner Dr. Dianne Perkowski); two grandchildren, one step-grandchild, one great-grandchild and three step-great-grandchildren.

Graveside services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 26, at Dispersed of Judah Cemetery at 4937 Canal Street. Rabbi Todd Silverman officiated.

Memorial donations are suggested to the New Orleans Museum of Art or the charity of your choice.   Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp Funeral Home of Metairie was in charge of arrangements.