ST. TAMMANY PARISH, LA. 

Obituary for: CAFFERY, ELLIE WITHERSPOON 

Submitted by: Louis Lavedan. 

Source: St. Tammany News (Covington, LA)

Published Sunday, December 4, 2011

======================================================================= 
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/copyright.shtml
======================================================================= 
NOTE: If a Photo is available for an obituary record, a reference note will be
included with the record. 
=========================================================== 

CAFFERY

Ellie Witherspoon Caffery died peacefully at Christwood Retirement Community 
Wednesday, Nov, 23, 2011. 

She was born in Indianapolis, Ind., May 7, 1924 to the late John Barkley and 
Martha Vairin Witherspoon. 

She was a long time resident of New Orleans, resided in Covington since 1996, 
and was the beloved wife of the late J. Taylor Caffery, whom she married in 
1946. 

She is survived by two daughters, Martha Caffery Effler (Dean) of Yakima, 
Wash., and Barbara Caffery Newhouse (Peter) of Baton Rouge; two sons, Taylor L. 
Caffery (Mary Ann) of Baton Rouge and Donelson Caffery (Angie Wiggins) of 
Powhatan, Va.; one sister, Monk Brannan (Carl); four grandchildren, Erin C. 
Effler, Keith C. Effler (Stephanie), Adam B. Newhouse (Niki), Rebekah A. 
Newhouse and one great-grandson, Bryce A. Kelly. 

She was preceded in death by one sister, Brucie Witherspoon Rafferty.

Ellie was a world traveler, a scholar, a sportswoman, a philanthropist, and a 
dedicated New Orleans Uptowner. She graduated with honors from Louise S. 
McGehee School in 1941 (she was, in later years, proud to be a member of Mrs. 
Yancey’s book club); and Vassar College, 1944-45, with a degree in 
bacteriology. Following graduation, she did sweet potato research for the 
Department of Agriculture. She volunteered many hours with the New Orleans 
Public Schools, the Junior League of New Orleans and perhaps most notably with 
the development of the Holman Vocational Center, which later merged with 
Goodwill Industries.

Ellie never ceased to read, search and learn. She developed a fascination with 
anthropology, and became an amateur expert in Mayan history and culture. At 
Tulane she also undertook a graduate degree in American Literature. Her thesis 
delved into mother-daughter relationships in the literary world, especially 
that of Zelda and Scottie Fitzgerald. Her love of the arts kept her active as a 
patron of the New Orleans Museum of Art and an enthusiastic supporter of the 
local theatre and philharmonic events. She was the Queen of Momus immediately 
following World War II.

Her many adventures took her to every continent, including Antarctica twice. 
She was photographed at the helm of a Russian icebreaker, and she once speared 
a crocodile in the Amazon. She and Taylor scuba dived in the Red Sea, the Great 
Barrier Reef, and the Caribbean. She was especially fond of Guatemala, Mexico’s 
Quintana Roo and the U.S. Grand Canyon. She also loved bird watching, tennis, 
and was a competitor at badminton in tournaments the world over. When at home, 
she was an extraordinary hostess. She said, “It is all the experiences I’ve 
been given from other people that made my life. Even in Lacombe, it’s a 
different place when people come to visit. It’s not what you do by yourself, 
but what’s done with other people that’s important.”

Her family expresses its deep gratitude to the physicians, nurses and staff of 
St. Tammany Hospital, Christwood Retirement Community, and Canon Hospice for 
their care during her final days.

A gathering to celebrate Ellie’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 
9, 2011, at her country home, 28690 Ruth Rd., Lacombe. 
A reception will continue until 4 p.m.. 

E.J. Fielding Funeral Home of Covington has been entrusted with arrangements. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christwood Employee Benevolence 
Fund, 100 Christwood Blvd. Covington, LA 70433.

===================