Harold Markham Westholz, Jr., “Jack”

May the choirs of angels sing thee to thy rest!

Harold Markham Westholz, Jr., “Jack,” beloved husband of Frances Carroll Daly Westholz for nearly sixty years, passed to his Heavenly reward on Thursday, September 5, 2019, after a lengthy illness.  He was the devoted father of the late Harold Markham Westholz, III, Hugh Matthew Westholz, (wife, Eileen McGuinness),John Thaddeus Westholz, (wife, Stephanie Haydel), and Carroll "Dee Dee" Daly Westholz, in religion, Sister Mary Ellen Westholz, O.P., of the St. Cecilia Dominican Congregation in Nashville, Tennessee.

Jack was the faithful grandfather of Madelyn Ann Westholz Maldonado, (husband, Ryan), Lauren Bridget Westholz Walker, (husband, Michael), and Kyle Matthew Westholz, Eileen and Matthew’s children, who called him “Poppa.”  He was “PopPop” to Stephanie and Thad’s children,  Andrew John Westholz, Christian Michael Westholz, and Emily Elizabeth Westholz.

He was the only child of Martha Minerva Brown Westholz and Harold Markham Westholz, Sr.  He was the dear stepson of Cecilia Reitmeyer Westholz, who introduced him to the Catholic faith at the age of seven.  Jack was born in Independence, Louisiana, on February 16, 1934, the day of his mother’s death.  He spent his early years with his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lee Brown, in Chesborough, Louisiana, near Kentwood.

A one-room schoolhouse in Chesborough was the scene of Jack’s early education, so thorough that he was skipped a grade when he entered Orleans Parish Schools.  When his father married Cecilia, Jack attended Lakeview School in New Orleans, where he first met Carroll.  He graduated from St. Aloysius High School in 1951, and from Loyola University in 1954, with a degree in Journalism.  It was the time of the Korean Conflict, and R.O.T.C. members went through college in three years.  He served stateside with the U.S. Army Military Police.  Jack graduated from Loyola University School of Law in 1970.  He retired from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals as regional attorney.  Jack volunteered with the Civil Air Patrol for several years, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, St. Dominic Chapter.

In his early years, Jack was a parishioner of St. Dominic Church in Lakeview; later, a long-time parishioner and reader at St. Clement of Rome Church in Metairie.   A visitation will be held at St. Clement of Rome Church on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 from 10:00AM – 11:30AM, with Mass at 11:30AM.  Inurnment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in New Orleans.

Your own dear prayers would be our only wish for Jack and the family.  If you desire to make a memorial donation in his name, you might consider St. Michael Special School, 1522 Chippewa Street, New Orleans, LA  70130, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregtion, 801 Dominican Drive, Nashville, TN  37228, or the Sister Servants of Mary, 5001 Perlita Street, New Orleans, LA  70122,  Jack’s nurses for much of his illness.

The Westholz family is so grateful for all the prayers, loving help, and comfort from family and friends during our dear one’s illness.  May our Lord bless all of you.
 

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