Cheryl Saunée Orillion, 68, of Metairie, La., died on October 20, 2018, and entered into the presence of the Lord. Cheryl was born on April 3, 1950, in New Orleans, La. She attended St. Cecilia grammar school in the 9th Ward, and graduated from the Academy of the Holy Angels in 1968. Cheryl received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Education from Our Lady of Holy Cross College. Over the course of a 48-year career
in Catholic education, she taught at St. Christopher School in Metairie (1970-1975), St. Robert Bellarmine School in Arabi (1975-1978) and St. Louise de Marillac in Arabi (1978-1992). After serving as assistant principal at St. Matthew the Apostle School in River Ridge (1992-1994), Cheryl became principal of St. Benilde School in Metairie (1994-2000), which was named a National Blue Ribbon School (1999) by the U.S. Dept.
of Education under her leadership. She served as assistant superintendent of education in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodeaux (2000-2001), and was then principal of Sacred Heart School in Norco (2001-2015). She was principal of Holy Rosary Academy and High School in New Orleans from 2015 until her death. Cheryl was known as a teacher and administrator who sought to bring out the best in each student and staff member so that
they could give their best back to God and their community. Besides Catholic education, her other great love was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Malcolm Saunée and Dolores Gleason Saunée, as well as her sister, Karen “Tudy” Saunée. Cheryl is survived by her husband of 44 years,
Steve Anthony Orillion, her three sons, Matthew Paul Orillion (Anne Scimeca Orillion), Nathan Emile Orillion, and Jonathon Paul Orillion; as well as her four grandchildren, Isaac Orillion, Adelaide Orillion, Jude Orillion, and Cecilia Orillion. A Catholic funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 3, at 12:00pm, at St. Edward the Confessor Church, 4921 W. Metairie Ave., Metairie, La. Visitation will take place
beginning at 9:30am until Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Cheryl’s name to the Marianites of Holy Cross, Mission Advancement, 21388 Smith Road, Covington, Louisiana, 70435.
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