Gwen Gollotte

Gwen H. Gollotte, age 93, of Biloxi, entered Eternal Life on February 21, 2022.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilfred Elton Gollotte; daughter, Vicki Gollotte Cobb (David); 2 sons, Victor Paul Gollotte and Michael Elton Gollotte; parents, Preston and Beulah Hand; brothers, Herman (Norma) Hand, Arnold (Georgia) Hand, and Victor Hand; sister, Jeanne Hand Henry (Jesse); nephew, John Henry; and a brother-in-law, Daniel Williams.

She is survived by her daughter, Diane Gollotte (David) Riemann; a son, Geoffrey (Debby) Gollotte; grandchildren, Jeffrey (Anne Lauren) Migues, Victor (Katie Poche) Cobb, Wilfred (Camille) Cobb, Elizabeth Cobb, Max Gollotte, Chad (Heather) Riemann, Ashlie (Jason) Holt, and Addison (Natasha) Riemann; her great-grandchildren, Maddison Migues, Annaleise Migues, John David Riemann, Sadie Riemann, Emma Riemann, Sam Holt, Ethan Holt, and Giavanna Riemann; sister-in-law, Beverly Williams; and many other relatives and close friends.

Her life on the Gulf Coast began as a student in nursing at the New Biloxi Hospital on Beach Boulevard in 1945 where she met her husband-to-be, Wilfred E. Gollotte and many life-long friends.  She was the daughter of Preston James Hand and Beulah Cross Hand of Lauderdale County, MS, was educated in public schools in Meridian and Canton, MS, with additional studies at Jefferson Davis Junior College, New York School of Interior Design, University of Southern Mississippi Extension Programs, and the Shalem Institute of Spiritual Formation.  After moving to Biloxi, Gwen founded her own company, Gwen Gollotte Public Relations, Inc. Throughout the years, she held various positions which included working as an Interior Designer for Merchiston Hall Gallery, Executive Assistant to the Director of Technical Training at Keesler Air Force Base, and as the Executive Director and Women’s Program Director for Radio Station WLOX.

Her devotion to the Catholic Diocese of Biloxi, the City of Biloxi, and the Girl Scouts is extensive.  She served on the President’s Cabinet of the Gulf Pines Girl Scout Council, and was an honorary Life Member of Girl Scouts USA.  She was a volunteer for Quality Hospice, member of the Mississippi Women’s Cabinet of Public Affairs, Co-Chair of the Biloxi Tri-Centennial Commission, past chairman of the Board of Directors of “Friends of the Saenger” and the Saenger Restoration and Preservation Committee, active member of the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra and Gulf Coast Opera Theater.  She was awarded the Lion’s Club Mother of the Year, The City of Biloxi Volunteer of the Year, the Lumen Christi Award for Nativity BVM Cathedral, the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Award from Pope John Paul II, and the Bishop’s Service Cross from Bishop Joseph Lawson Howze for all of her devotion and service to the diocese. Mrs. Gollotte was a Retreat Captain for the Cenacle Retreat Center of New Orleans for many years, member of the Board of Directors for the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy, and was the chairman for many fundraising events at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral, Sacred Heart, and Notre Dame Schools.  Gwen served as the reception coordinator for the installation of Bishop Howze as the first Bishop of Biloxi and Bishop Thomas J. Rodi as the second Bishop of Biloxi.  In 2002, she was appointed by Bishop Rodi to serve as Coordinator of Pastoral and Strategic Planning which assisted each parish in the seventeen counties that make up the diocese.

“Memories of the special people in our lives are golden treasures.”  Gwen Gollotte was truly special.  “She was quintessentially a Southern Lady, possessing charm, grace and kindness, as well as an inner strength which came from love of God and love of neighbor.  Truly a steel magnolia.”

A gathering of family and friends will take place on Thursday, March 3, 2022, from 12 pm - 2 pm at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 870 Howard Ave., Biloxi, MS 39530.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2 pm in the cathedral with Bishop Louis Kihneman as the principal celebrant.  Interment will take place in Biloxi City Cemetery.  A reception will be held in the Sacred Heart Center immediately following the interment.

Memorials may be sent to the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy, 715-B Division Street, Biloxi, MS 39530.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, Biloxi, is serving the family and online condolences may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com