Leal Soyster Dugas, 91, died peacefully on February 18, 2022, surrounded by loving family. A service will be held in New Orleans in August 2022.

Leal is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charles J Dugas (1990); parents, Leal Lamothe Soyster Baker (2012) and Robbert Soyster (1956); and her dear brother, Harry Lamothe Soyster (1937.) She leaves behind four children: Cary (Cynthia) Arsaga, Ava Arsaga (Maurice Konkle), Neil Arsaga (Lydia Geiger), and Charles J (Carol) Dugas, Jr.; seven grandchildren, Neil Arsaga Benson, Talia Konkle, Jacqueline Leal Arsaga, Nicholas Konkle, Ava Arsaga, Lindsay Leal Dugas Anderson, Erica Dugas; three step grandchildren, Terra Stephenson, Matthew Passow, and Kristin Passow; and six great grandchildren, Leah Benson Klenner, Anthony Benson, Maria Benson, Anaya Alvarez, Rafaella Benson, and Reylen Alvarez.

A sixth generation native of New Orleans, Leal was known for her beauty, singing, dancing, and abiding faith. In elementary school at St Louis Cathedral, she sang in the children’s choir. At Holy Angels High, she sang in a four-woman a cappella group. For decades she sang in choirs at St Phillip Neri, St Jerome, and St. Agnus. When guitar masses broke ground, she was there with her guitar and voice. Over twenty years she taught aerobics and line dancing at Metairie YMCA, Premier Fitness and Elmwood Fitness. She served on Archdiocesan committees and in parent organizations at Archbishop Rummel. And throughout changing times and many adventures, she was a dedicated daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother–singing lullabies, sharing dance moves, recounting stories, and passing along her beautiful faith. She lifted the hearts of many friends with her compassion, humor, charisma, and love.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Bridge House, 4150 Earhart Blvd, New Orleans, LA, 70125.