Ruth Steinau Barnes

Ruth Steinau Barnes, 84, joined her beloved husband, Gerald F. "Jerry" Barnes in heaven, on November 16, 2019. She was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 5, 1935. Daughter of the late David S. Steinau and the late Estelle M. Meyer.

Ruth was a lifelong resident of River Ridge, Louisiana and an ardent Saints fan. She graduated from Nichols High School. She met her husband, Jerry, on a blind date at Pontchartrain Beach. They married on September 4, 1954. Ruth and Jerry loved going to Tulane University and New Orleans Saints football games.

Ruth worked for 35 years at the Tulane University Graduate School as the Program Coordinator. She was revered in that community. Ruth had "mothered many graduate students, admonishing them to read simple instructions and advising them on relationships". Part of her job was to monitor students' progress. Ruth started working at the Tulane School of Public Health in 1967 and moved to the Graduate School in 1979.

She is survived by her loving children, Keith A. Barnes (Deborra), and Cherilyn "Shay" Chatfield (Charlie); grandchildren, David Barnes (Sandy), Daniel Barnes (Jessica), Zachary Zanghi (Katherine), Erica Zanghi, and Marc Zanghi; great grandchildren, Andrew, Mason, Evan, Asher, Evangeline Barnes and Carter Zanghi; step-grandchildren, Lindsay and Patrick Chatfield; and loving niece, Marylynne Verges (Robert).

She also leaves behind her precious puppies, Sadie and Zoe.

A Rosary will be said at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at Our Lady of Divine Providence Catholic Church, 8617 W. Metairie Ave. Metairie, LA 70003. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the church at 12 p.m. that afternoon.

In lieu of flowers please make donations as follows:
Mail a check to: ARNO, 1219 Coliseum St, New Orleans, LA 70130 please note in Memory of Ruth Barnes or go online to http://www.animalrescueneworleans.org . Click on donate in memory of Ruth Barnes.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.