Helen Mackie

Helen Theresa Bridget Arnaud Mackie, daughter of the late William Ellis Arnaud and Leora Collins Arnaud was born on November 23, 1946 in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was the middle child of eleven siblings. She was baptized into the Catholic faith at St. Raymond Catholic Church. She was called home to be with our Lord and Savior on April 23, 2020. Helen attended St. Raymond Elementary and St. Mary’s Academy then later graduated from Joseph S. Clark High School (home of the bulldogs) in 1965. Not much later she met and married her one true love, Albert Anthony Mackie on December 27, 1966. While married the two traveled the world and weathered the nature of life together for many years until Albert was called home to glory in 1990. Helen never remarried or entertained another suitor as she would quickly dismiss any advances and let it be known she “wasn’t doing that again!” Helen was reared as a devout Catholic. Later in adulthood she distanced herself from religious institutions while maintaining an enormous amount of faith in God. She would have Sunday dinner prepared & ready for “Mother & Daddy” and the rest of the family upon their return from church. When asked why she didn’t go to church as well, she would simply reply “the kitchen is my church.” She was a no-nonsense lady who cared for & loved her family very deeply. She’d often be heard giving an off-colored remark to someone and speaking her mind without a second’s thought. She was an avid believer in getting stuff off your chest and not holding things in saying “you’ll feel a lot better for it.” Helen was a lifelong caretaker. From her youth she cared for her siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins and later their children then their children. There are generations of family and friends that have been led by her caring & giving heart. She was a small-framed woman with a big presence in a multitude of lives. Her contribution to each person she encountered, and society as a whole is immeasurable. Whether you’ve called upon her as Lady, Lay-Lay, Helen-Theresa, Ma, MawMaw, Miss Helen or simply Helen, there’s no denying you can count yourself as fortunate to have been in her presence. Helen leaves precious memories that will be cherished forever by her loving daughter Sonja Pullard, son-in-law Mayanus Pullard, granddaughter Abigail Pullard; her siblings, Carolyn (Darryl) Hithe, Carrol (Agnes) Arnaud, Emma Thomas, Lerna Arnaud, Roland Arnaud, Eric (Jo Ann) Arnaud; a host of nieces, nephews and friends turned family. Helen was preceded in death by her parents William & Leora Arnaud, four siblings, Winifred Paylor, Ronald Arnaud, Cecilia James and Errol Arnaud. Relatives and friends are invited attend a drive thru visitation on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 from 8:30 AM until 9:30 AM. A private funeral service will follow. Interment: Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Arrangements by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to share online condolences.