Obituary

Lynne Mary Leyrer Gelpi affectionately known as Lynnie was a loving and kind wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved children and had a passion for dance and all things related to dance. She loved volunteering, theatre and traveling, especially to New York City for Broadway shows. Lynne passed away on Friday, September 1, 2023, at her home in Madisonville, Louisiana. She was born to Harry and Eugenie (Jane Geisler) Leyrer in New Orleans, Louisiana on March 23, 1938. She attended St. Rita Elementary School and graduated from Holy Name of Jesus High School in 1956.

She is survived by her six children, Leslie Gelpi, Jeanne “Tuppy” Pecot (David, Jr.), John Gelpi III, Denise Ragan (Rickie), Annette McDougal (Billy), Christie Perrin (Larry, Jr.). Lynne has 17 grandchildren, Melissa, Christian and Caitlin Sarrat, Jeannette Pecot and Suzanne Pecot Hirstius, Jessyca, John IV, Jacob and Zachary Gelpi, Roch Ragan, Chase and Alex McDougal, Larry III, Reid, Zoë, Macie and Carlie Perrin and 9 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Harry S. Leyrer, Jr. and sisters-in-law Marie Leyrer, Virginia Gaudet and Paulette Hallford and nieces, nephews, cousins and wonderful lifelong friends and dance associates.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, John Joseph Gelpi, Jr.; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry S. Leyrer and daughter in law, Wendy Gelpi.

She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Lynne was founder of Gelpi Academy of Dance from 1969 in New Orleans East where she taught countless students and remained owner until it was sold in 1995. Her love of dance was inspired by her dance instructor Hazel Nuss. She was an active member of Dance Masters of America and Louisiana Association of Dance Masters. She taught classical ballet and lyrical jazz at St. Mary’s Dominican College. She helped run the variety shows at Resurrection of Lord Catholic Church parish and coordinated the talent shows at the Academy of the Holy Angels.

Throughout her life she was a maid in the Krewe of Carrollton, an angel sponsor of Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre and a parishioner of St. Anselm Catholic Church. She volunteered at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans and on the suicide prevention hotline.

The family expresses their deepest gratitude to the care provided by Janice McKinnon, LaKenya Walker and Hospice of St. Tammany Parish Hospital (Nurse Ashten Collier and Tech Queniece Chatman).

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mrs. Gelpi may be made to the nuns whom she loved and cherished for their education and support of her family:
https://marianites.app.neoncrm.com/forms/the-marianites

Relatives and friends are invited to the Funeral Mass at St. Joseph Abbey, 75376 River RD., St. Benedict, LA 70457 on Friday, September 15, 2023, at 2:00 PM with visitation at the Abbey on that day beginning at 1:00 PM. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Abbey Cemetery.

E.J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. The Gelpi family invites you to share thoughts, fondest memories, and condolences online at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.