Ruth Ann Sporl Bodenheimer Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Ruth Ann Sporl Bodenheimer, a resident of New Orleans, passed away on September 24, 2019 at the age of 80. She was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on May 12, 1939. Ruth’s love of history and preservation drew her to accept a position with Morton’s Antiques as a Consultant/Appraiser in the late 1960s. She began her career in Hospitality Management in 1972 as a Sales Manager with Toye Brothers/Grayline Sightseeing. In the 1980s, Ruth launched her fifteen-year career with the New Orleans Steamboat Company, where she was a veteran of the Charter and Convention Department and was responsible for creating a Destination Management division of New Orleans Steamboat, known as Visit New Orleans. Her passion for preservation and history served her well as she was also the Proprietor of the Lanaux Mansion, a prestigious Bed & Breakfast on Esplanade Avenue. Ruth was proud to have been the first female President of Skål International New Orleans, and also served on the Board of Directors of the Hotel Sales Management Association. She was a member of PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association) and ASAE (American Society of Association Executives). Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Mark and Mary Frances Sporl, and her late husband, Ken Schwartz. She is survived by her children Catherine Ann Bodenheimer St. Pierre of Baton Rouge, LA; Robert M. Bodenheimer, Jr. of New Orleans, LA; Joseph M. Bodenheimer of Tokyo, Japan; and Beth Ann Bodenheimer Dessle of San Francisco, CA; her grandchildren, Karl and Ami Bodenheimer of Tokyo, Japan; Mike and Evan St. Pierre of Baton Rouge, LA; Benicio Bodenheimer of New Orleans, LA; and Sophie Dessle of San Francisco, CA; as well as great grandchildren Kayleigh, Rylan, Gage, Landon, Bronson, Trent, and Trevor. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, September 30, 2019 at Blessed Xavier Seelos Catholic Church, 3037 Dauphine St., New Orleans, LA at 1:30 PM. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM, Words of Remembrance from 1:00 PM until 1:30 PM. Interment will immediately follow at St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Hospice of Baton Rouge, 3600 Florida Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70806. Arrangements entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, Covington, LA 985-875-1131. Condolences and tributes can be posted at www.serenitycovington.com