Aline Duminy St. Julien

It is with the deepest sorrow that the children of Aline Duminy St. Julien announce her passing at just short of 98 years young. The youngest child of Paul and Ella Duminy, Aline attended Craig Elementary and Xavier Prep High School. In 1946, she married the love of her life, Harold Joseph St. Julien. From this union they had eight children: Mtumishi (born Michael), Tayari (born Cecily), Eric, Nilima (born Lisa), Eli, Jeffery, Una, and the late Jude. Aline loved her family, taught her children to uphold the truth, stand for justice and equality, and be kind to those in need. In her life, Aline challenged all forms of discrimination in the community, patriarchy in the church and the many limitations that society imposes on women. As lifelong residents of New Orleans, Aline and Harold were very involved with the Catholic Church and participated in various areas of community service, including providing meals for homeless people on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. She was deeply active with the National Office of Black Catholics and in the Black Catholic Movement. Aline attended Southern University at New Orleans where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a Black Studies concentration, graduating Magna Cum Laude. After her husband’s death in 1982, she began studies in the Masters program at Howard University in Washington, DC. Aline was a prolific writer with published articles in newspapers, magazines, and two books, Colored Creole and Your Daddy Slim. She taught yoga and literacy to adults, swam twice a week and remained purposefully active. She loved to gather with family and friends, and sing to all kinds of musical genres. Her passion was dance. She would attend dances constantly and would often remain on the dance floor between songs rather than return to her seat. Throughout her life, Aline consistently celebrated the maxim “Black is Beautiful”. She is survived by her children, Mtumishi (and his wife Shawishi) St. Julien, Tayari Kwa Salaam, Eric (and his wife Gaynelle) St. Julien, Nilima Mwendo, Eli (and his wife Alisa) St. Julien, Jeffery St. Julien, and Una St. Julien-West; sister-in-law, Yvette (George, deceased) St. Julien; 21 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Aline is preceded in death by her husband, Harold St. Julien, her son Jude, and her siblings, Walter (and his wife Dorothy) Duminy, Lucille Duminy (and her husband Richard) Baquet, Louise Duminy (and her husband Joseph) Simms, and Manuel Duminy. A Celebration of Life will be held at Corpus Christi Church, 2022 St. Bernard Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana on Saturday, February 3, 2024, Holy Mass at 10:00 am, Visitation from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Interment: St. Roch Cemetery # 2. Arrangements by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Avenue. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the guestbook. In lieu of flowers, donations should be sent in honor of Aline St. Julien to Ashe Cultural Arts Center, 1712 Oretha C. Haley Blvd., New Orleans, LA, 70113.

Aline Duminy St. Julien

January 17, 2024