ST. TAMMANY PARISH, LA. Obituary for: GIACOBBE, GWEN DELLE BERNADAS Submitted by: Louis Lavedan. Source: The St. Tammany News, St. Tammany, La. Posted: Friday, February 15, 2013 ======================================================================= 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. =========================================================== GIACOBBE ========== A photo is available for this file. Please go to http://usgwarchives.net/la/sttammany/obits/dateobits/2013/st1302.htm and click to view list of photos. ========== Gwen Delle Bernadas Giacobbe, 73, died Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013. Survivors include her husband of 49 years, Joseph L. Giacobbe; brother and sister-in-law, Clifford W. and Shirley Bernadas Jr.; nephews and niece, Clifford W. Bernadas III, Marla B. Garrity and her husband, Richard, Thomas Marshall Bernadas, and Scott M. Phillips and his wife, Kelly; great nephews and niece, Ryan, Evan and Caitlin Garrity; sisters-in-law and their spouses, Maria Giacobbe, Lee G. and Aubrey Facenda, Therese Giacobbe, and Louise and Cary Champion; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, George and Gail Giacobbe, and nieces and nephews, Toni A. Lovejoy, M. Nan Alessandra, Clayton Brown, Tommy Jean Hodges, Larry Brown, Gregory Brown, Jeffrey Brown, Bradley Brown, Kelly G. Gros, Corinne G. Hufft, Lawrence Giacobbe, Vanessa Facenda, Christopher Facenda, Randy Fischbein, Lauren Giacobbe and Rob Giacobbe, and numerous great- nieces and great-nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Helen Marshall and Clifford W. Bernadas Sr.; mother-in-law, Leona Giacobbe; father-in-law, Lawrence Giacobbe; sister- in-law and brother-in-law, L. Georgie G. and Tommy Brown; brother-in-law, Robert Giacobbe, and niece, Kerri Fischbein White. She was a graduate of Alcee Fortier High School in New Orleans, attended Louisiana State University and returned to her early interest in dance and began studying at the Giacobbe Academy of Dance, finding her passion. At the Academy, she met her future husband, and they developed a relationship that grew into a long, lasting marriage. Being very friendly and gregarious by nature, she had many interests and enjoyed numerous varied activities. One of these turned into a two-year career as a United Airlines flight attendant based in New York City, which allowed her to continue dance classes. After her marriage, she became a member of the Giacobbe Academy faculty, teaching at the studios in Metairie, Gentilly, Uptown and Slidell, where she became the principal teacher and director. Her students loved her for her kind nature, engaging smile, warmth and sense of encouragement. She danced professionally with her husband in Teresa's Flamenco Dance Company on numerous tours, including a stint performing and teaching at Jacob's Pillow in Lee, Mass. For many years she danced in an array of productions with the New Orleans Opera and created principal and soloist roles for the Delta Festival Ballet, the local company founded by the Giacobbe family in the late sixties. She was always affectionately known, filling many roles with the ballet company. She was an invaluable behind-the-scenes force who sought little recognition for the important work she accomplished. She was instrumental in spearheading and working with the volunteers to create La Fete du Ballet, the annual ballet company fundraiser, and build and manage the Nutcracker Boutique, which now is a huge success. She coordinated and supervised the arrangements for the student performances of the Nutcracker. She constantly worked with wardrobe to accessorize and color coordinate costumes and ensure each headdress or tiara or crown was appropriate. Her behind-the-scenes work has left a long shadow. Her professional accomplishments are outstanding, but everyone will remember her kindness, generosity, desire to please and give, sunny personality, love of life and of people and engaging smile. She was loved and adored by both sides of her family; they always will remember and cherish the time that she was part of their lives. She loved each of them. A private service was held Feb. 11 at Greenwood, and a memorial service is planned for a future date. ===================