Maria Gloria “May Glo” Schilleci Grisoli Monteleone

Maria Gloria “May Glo” Schilleci Grisoli Monteleone died at home in Mandeville on September 21. She recently celebrated her 94th birthday surrounded by many of her family members whom she adored and gave unbounded love.

Born to Antonina Graffagnini and Gioacchino Schilleci on September 6, 1928 in New Orleans, she attended St. Joseph Academy and remained close friends with her classmates -“les girls”- reuniting with them at least once a year even in their 90s. She graduated from Loyola University with a bachelor’s in music education. While in college she starred in many theatrical performances, often alongside her brother John, and sang with her trio, The Rhythmettes, on live television in New Orleans.

In 1950, she married Robert Joseph Grisoli and continued to teach grade school until 1966 when together they opened their business, Townhouse Preschool and Kindergarten, in Lake Terrace. Inspired by Maria Montessori, she was energized by children, teaching them necessary school subjects but also building their self-confidence, resiliency and love for each other. Townhouse grew to three locations and existed for over 50 years. After the death of her first husband, she married Jacob Monteleone of New Orleans.

She was the life of every party. She was moved by opera, thrilled by Mardi Gras and loyal to the New Orleans Saints and LSU. Immensely proud of her Italian heritage, May Glo widely shared her famous meatball secrets with her children and grandchildren and cherished visits and correspondence with her relatives still living in Palermo.

She is survived by four children: Robert (Lanell) Grisoli, Robin Grisoli Rougelot, Richard (Joy) Grisoli and Ronald (Elizabeth) Grisoli; three step-children: Betty Monteleone, Rev. Jacob Monteleone and Lisa Monteleone (Craig) Condon; grandchildren: Bryce (Barrie) Grisoli, Graham (Kelly) Grisoli, Gretchen (Edward) Dauterive, Jay (Stratton) Grisoli, Christopher (Whitney) Rougelot, Corey (Amy) Rougelot, Clayton (Katie) Rougelot and Connor (Ashleigh) Rougelot, Mary Beth Grisoli, Annie Grisoli and Stephen Grisoli; four step-grandchildren: Analyn Megison, Michael (Thalita) Megison, Mary Megison (Jared) Latiolais, Caroline Condon (Dustin) Fleiner; 16 great-grandchildren and six step great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her son, Randall Mark Grisoli, her husbands, brothers John and Rosario Schilleci, sister Philomene Schilleci Bagert and son-in-law Chris Rougelot.

Visitation with the family will be Saturday, October 1 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 6666 Spanish Fort Blvd. in New Orleans. The funeral mass will immediately follow. Memorials may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN.

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