MARGOT GARON

Margot Strauss Garon, a leader of the New Orleans Jewish community, died on April 13, 2018, two weeks after her 91st birthday.  She was born in Kirschheimbolanden, Germany, and was a resident of New Orleans since 1948.  She was predeceased by her husband of 39 years, Herbert J. Garon, by her parents Jakob and Jenny Strauss and her brother Helmut Strauss.  She is survived by her daughter Kathy Bauman (David) of Little Rock, Arkansas, her son Kenny Garon (Bruria) of Kibbutz Revadim, Israel and her son R. Justin (Bobby) Garon (Robin Levy) of New Orleans. She is also survived by her grandchildren Simeon Garon-Wolf, Sarah Garon, Ruth Garon, Aviv Garon, Daniel Garon, Marcel Garon and Emile Garon and her precious great-grandson, Max.

Margot, along with her parents and brother, was brought to the United States at age 10 by her uncle, Fred Strauss, and was raised in Monroe, La. She attended LSU where she met her future husband.  After moving to New Orleans,
Margot worked tirelessly in the Jewish community holding local, regional and national positions of leadership in a number of organizations.  She served as a national board member for the Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership (CLAL), the National Council of Jewish Women serving as the president of the New Orleans chapter, and the Women’s Division for the Council of Jewish Federations.  Locally she served on the boards of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, Jewish Family Service, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Endowment Foundation, Woldenberg Living Center and her congregation, Shir Chadash.  For years Margot actively volunteered in Federation’s annual campaign which she chaired in 1967.

In 1961, she and her husband participated in a mission to Israel – the first of many missions to Israel that she participated in and later led.  When her children were fully grown she worked professionally at the Federation where she performed many roles culminating in her being assistant director and in charge of the annual fundraising campaign as well as the missions to Israel. Margot was one of the first women in New Orleans to step forward to endow her Lion of Judah annual Federation gift and served as its chair for over ten years.

Margot received many honors including the Torch of Liberty award from the Anti-Defamation League, Endowment Achievement award from the Jewish Endowment Foundation, the Roger Bissinger Memorial award from the Jewish Federation, the Citation award from the National Conference for Community and Justice and the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland award from the International Lion of Judah Conference honoring extraordinary women who have set a high standard for philanthropy and volunteerism.

The family would like to acknowledge the exceptional care and compassion provided Margot by the entire staff at Lambeth House and Guardian Angel Hospice in the last week of her life as well as her physicians, Dr. Josh Lowentritt and Dr. Salvador Caputto.

Family and friends are invited to attend the funeral celebrating Margot’s long and distinguished life.  Visitation will begin at 11:00 on Monday, April 16, 2018 at Shir Chadash Congregation, 3737 W. Esplanade Av. in Metairie, LA followed by a service at 1:00.  Burial will be at Jefferson Memorial Gardens at 11316 River Rd in St. Rose, LA for those who wish to join the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans at 3747 W. Esplanade Av., Metairie, LA 70002, Shir Chadash, or a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp, 1600 N. Causeway Blvd.

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