Gayle Rosemary Macaluso Ponthier

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Gayle Rosemary Macaluso Ponthier, age 76, passed away peacefully in the early morning of Friday, May 5, 2017. A native of New Orleans, LA, life-long resident of Gretna, LA, Gayle was the daughter of the late Augustino Macaluso and Hazel Dubuc Macaluso Benes. Along with her parents, she was also predeceased by her husband, Richard Peter Ponthier, Sr., her two sons, Don Crosby and Joseph Imbraguglio, two grandchildren, Johnny Crosby and Elizabeth “Lizzy” Crosby, her mother’s second husband, her step-father, Joseph Benes and her brother, Augustino Macaluso, Jr.

A beacon of light for many mothers whom suffered the loss of children, Gayle was a published author of various styles of writing. She chronicled her life and losses in ways many could relate to and in doing so brought about hope and comfort for many. Her inspiration, personality, and full of life persona was an encouragement to all those around her and for many she would never come to know. Born of Italian and French immigrants, Gayle grew up within the city of New Orleans until meeting her husband, Richard, a Louisiana Air National Guard Master Sergeant. Together they moved closer to his air base, NAS-JRB, and while he served our country, she began her writing career and as the matriarch of the home cared for their children. A family of unity and spirit, Gayle always enjoyed family gatherings, whether preparing southern cooking at its best for the family dinner table or many weekends spent at their family camp-house in Empire, LA. Her generosity and love not only touched her children’s lives but of many within the community. She made her home open to many and provided guidance and wisdom to those in need. Following her husband’s death in a boating accident in 1991, her desire to reach out further to help others through her literary work led to her book publication which chronicled her struggles, loss, and the faith she had which helped her overcome. Having a deeply rooted history in the New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration with the Elks Krewe of Gretna, which together with her husband prior to his death and her children would participate in preparing and riding in the parades throughout the city. She would later be crowned Queen of the Krewe of Ulysses in 1999, Krewe of King Arthur in 2001, and the Mystic Knights of Adonis in 2003.

Gayle is survived by her three loving children, Elizabeth “Liz” Imbraguglio David and her husband, Royal, of Rocky Mount, NC and Julie Ponthier and her fiancé, Doug Rowell, of Carriere, MS; her cherished grandchildren, Don J. Crosby of Houston, TX, Kemp J. David and his wife, Trisha, of Rocky Mount, NC, Dexter D. David and his wife, Hilary, of Rocky Mount, NC, Christopher J. Sherrill of Wiggins, MS, Mason R. David of Raleigh, NC, Katelyn Gayle Sherrill of Carriere, MS; Andre M. David of Greenville, NC, Dane A. Crosby of Carriere, MS, John H. Sherrill, Jr. of Carriere, MS, Peyton L. David and Sarah Elizabeth David both of Rocky Mount, NC, and Gerson Munos of Houston, TX; and her great grandchildren, Hannah Elizabeth Marie, Ethan Jude, and Kayden James David, and Trinity Crosby. She is also cherished by her sisters, Carolyn Macaluso Derouche and her husband Frank and Cynthia Macaluso Champion; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Celebration of Gayle’s Life will be held at five o’clock, the afternoon of Tuesday, May 9, 2017 inside the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services with Dr. Jody Wright officiating. Friends are invited to greet the family one hour prior to the services inside the Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

In Lieu of Flowers, Memorials may be made in honor of Gayle’s life to the ALS Association local chapter or certified clinic of choice by visiting www.alsa.org or via mail to The ALS Association Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 37022, Boone IA 50037-0022. ALS or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease which affects nerve cells in the brain and spine and is 100% fatal.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.

Visitation
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services

1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Tuesday 5/9, 4:00 pm
Service
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services

1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
ID ) ); ?>”> –> 252-451-8800 –> |
Tuesday 5/9, 5:00 pm