Obituary

Diane Frances Allen Ferrara, 84, died peacefully at her Kenner, Louisiana home surrounded by loved ones. Mrs. Ferrara was a Brooklyn, New York native and is preceded in death by her husband Paul Martin Ferrara, her father Francis Allen, her mother, ‘Bing’ Frances Allen, and granddaughter Kristin Tompson.
Mrs. Ferrara is survived by five daughters, Dona Ferrara Sunseri, (Joseph Sunseri III), Theresa Ferrara Tompson (Jeffrey Tompson), Ann Ferrara Dale (Michael Dale), Suzanne Ferrara Brazda (Scott Brazda), and Jennifer Ferrara Macaluso (Frank Macaluso); thirteen grandchildren, Joseph Sunseri IV, Mary Sunseri, Natalie Sunseri, Jason Tompson (Michelle), Stephen Dale, (Kristina), Paul Dale (Melissa), Grace Dale Fulco (Cody), Marie-Claire Macaluso, Gabriel Macaluso, Corrin Macaluso, Genevieve Macaluso, Sophia Brazda and Nick Brazda; and six great-grandchildren, John Paul Dale, Annalise Dale, Lucy Dale, Joshua Dale, Sadie Fulco, and Ruth Fulco; four siblings, Maureen Allen Holder, Kay Allen Daly, William Allen, and Robert Allen and numerous nieces and nephews.
A devout Irish Catholic, Diane was a graduate of Catherine McAuley High School Brooklyn, New York and immensely enjoyed her family. She’ll be best remembered for her extraordinary smile that could light up a room, her great sense of humor and huge heart.
In the 1950s, Mrs. Ferrara joined the team of National Airlines as their first ‘brunette’ stewardess and was on the airline’s last flight out of Cuba after Castro’s coup d’etat. She had a successful retail management career at Saks Fifth Avenue (New Orleans), Gus Mayer (New Orleans), Maison Blanche (Metairie) and the St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Store (New Orleans). Once retired, Ferrara coordinated the Food Pantry at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Kenner, which provided her with an opportunity to serve those in need, work that filled her with great joy.
The family would like to extend their gratitude for the loving care provided by the nurses and aides of Compassus Hospice.
Family and Friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 1908 Short Street, Kenner, LA, at 12:00 pm. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. A private burial will follow the service.

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