Lois Magdalene Villars Delgado

Lois Magdalene Villars Delgado, passed away at the age of 88 on Friday, January 5, 2018, surrounded by her loving family following a brief illness. Lois was born on June 21, 1929 in New Orleans where she spent her youth. She was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, M. O. "Del" Delgado. She was a graduate of Dominican College and entered the professional world as a draftswoman for Bell South Telephone. In 1950, she drove across the country with her wedding dress on her lap, to marry USN Ensign M. O. Delgado in San Diego, California. They continued their life together eventually returning to New Orleans in their retirement. Lois was a woman of many talents who had a flair for design and style. She was an impressive artist and an accomplished seamstress who made many of her daughter's clothes, including Prom and Cotillion gowns. In addition, she loved spending time in her garden. Lois was a lifelong Southern Yacht Club (SYC) member who, in the early 50s, helped raised funds to build the first SYC swimming pool. Lois helped her husband build a 24 ft, sloop, the "Psyche", and spent many years as crew on L-16s, Dragons, and Thistles racing with her husband on her beloved Lake Pontchartrain and the Gulf of Mexico. As one of the SYCs beauties, she was selected as a Maid of the "Barge of the Bilges" ball in the early 1950s. Lois moved with her family to Chicago, Atlanta, Clearwater, Pensacola and finally back to New Orleans. For over fifteen years Lois worked at the Ochsner Hospital Nephrology department where she made many lifelong friends. Lois loved travelling to visit her family in places ranging from Italy and England, to North Carolina and Virginia. She always kept a bag packed ready for a trip! Lois was the daughter of Lillian Barth and Delino De Chalmette Villars; she was predeceased by her sister Elaine Villars Murphy and her brother Robert Villars and is survived by her brother Ralph Villars. Lois is also survived by her three loving daughters, Celene Delgado Oken, Odette Delgado Scovel, and Lisa Elena Delgado; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. All loved her dearly, enjoyed her sense of fun and adventure, and her love of a great New Orleans sazerac! A memorial mass will be held at St.Pius X Catholic Church on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 12:00 pm. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Lois' honor to either New Orleans City park: https://neworleanscitypark.ejoinme.org/MyPages/DonationPage/tabid/69464/Default.aspx or to St. Mary's Dominican High School: http://www.stmarysdominican.org/gifts-in-memoriam/ .