Cimino (CT) Jones

Managing Partner

CT is a Licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer and Cremationist with over 20 years of experience in the funeral and cemetery industry. He has managed funeral homes, cemeteries, and crematories in the states of Florida and Alabama. CT is excited to continue his commitment in the funeral industry as the Managing Partner for Garden of Memories Funeral Home and Cemetery. CT is married with four beautiful girls and has two lovely granddaughters. He is a proud member of the Pride of Palm Beach Lodge # 447 PHA Masons. CT’s motto in life is “To whom much is given, much is required.”

Carrie Kippers Bruno

Location Manager/Funeral Director

Carrie has been serving families since 2008, joining the industry after losing her great-grandmother and having to assist with making her funeral arrangements.  She is married to Brad and is the mother of Cameron and Dagan, both graduates of John Curtis Christian School and currently attending Northwestern State University and Tulane University.  She is a lifelong resident of River Ridge, Louisiana.  Carrie's first role in the funeral and cemetery industry was as a Family Service Counselor at Garden of Memories, assisting families with making cemetery property selections, both pre-need and at-need.  The more experience she gained the more she knew she wanted to focus on helping families at their time of loss, so she became a Funeral Director.  Carrie enjoys serving her community by helping families have a meaningful funeral and celebration of life for their loved ones.    

Toni Palestina

Funeral Director

Toni is a native of New Orleans, LA. and has been a resident of River Ridge, LA. for the past 21 years.  She is a graduate of Delgado Community College with an associate’s degree in Mortuary Science.  Toni is compassionate and cares greatly for the trials her families are faced with, helping each individual on their own path through grief.  She has been married to Frank Palestina for over 20 years and is the proud mother of two fur babies, Sabrina and Luna.

Jordan E. Brinson

Funeral Director

Jordan is dedicated and compassionate when it comes to serving families. She offers a strong commitment when supporting families during their most challenging times. Jordan graduated in 2009 from Northshore High School in Slidell, Louisiana. After high school, she worked as an Elementary Paraprofessional, and in the Hospitality Industry. Jordan's journey in the Funeral Industry began in 2019 when she took on the role of being a Funeral Director’s Assistant. Working closely with experienced Funeral Directors, she found her passion for helping families navigate their grief, driving her to pursue a career where she could provide comfort and care on a personal level.  In 2023, Jordan graduated from Delgado Community College's Funeral Service Education Program.  In 2024, Jordan proudly became a Licensed Funeral Director, further solidifying her dedication to this vital profession. Outside of her career, Jordan is engaged to Corey and a proud mother to her children, Maverick, Amelia, and stepson Bentley. She values her family time immensely, cherishing moments spent with her large family, including her three cats Loki, Eleanor and Jefferson. In her free time, Jordan enjoys listening to local bands, shopping at thrift stores, and family gatherings.

Wa'Lisha S. Jones

Funeral Director, Embalmer, Crematory Operator

Helen Osterhold

Care Center Manager, Funeral Director, Embalmer, Crematory Operator

A Dedicated Professional in Funeral Service, Helen Osterhold, is a native of Lafayette, Louisiana. Helen has called New Orleans her home since 2004. With a passion for serving families during their most challenging times, she pursued a career in funeral service, graduating from Delgado Community College's Funeral Service Program in May 2013. After earning her license in May 2014, Helen sought to enhance her expertise by completing specialized training in embalming and restorative reconstruction at the Fountain National Academy of Professional Embalming later that same year. Helen's commitment to her field extends beyond her practical skills; she is an active member of the professional community. She has served as a guest lecturer and presenter, sharing her extensive knowledge and experience in embalming through various panel discussions. Currently, she holds the position of Sergeant-at-Arms for the Louisiana Funeral Directors Association South District, where she contributes to the organization’s mission of supporting funeral professionals across the region. Additionally, Helen plays a vital role as an embalming lab proctor for Delgado's Funeral Service Program, guiding the next generation of funeral service professionals with her insights and expertise. With her dedication to education and community service, Helen continues to make a meaningful impact in the field of funeral service, ensuring that families receive the compassionate care they deserve.

Adelle Davis

Funeral Director, Embalmer

Adelle Davis is a licensed embalmer and funeral director. She received her degree in Mortuary Science from Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. Adelle is known for her reliability, expertise, and commitment to her community. She continues to be a trusted embalmer, helping families honor their loved ones with care, respect, and professionalism during one of life’s most difficult moments. Adelle specializes in the preparation of decedents, ensuring families have the opportunity for a meaningful farewell. Her expertise in embalming allows her to provide families with a peace of mind during a challenging time. Originally from Florida, Adelle has been a proud resident of New Orleans for over 20 years. Outside of her professional work, she offers grief support resources and organizing healing gatherings in the French Quarter, these gatherings provide a supportive space for friends and neighbors to come together in their grief. Adelle also enjoys tinkering with her family auto-body repair business and exploring the historic sites of Louisiana. She also dedicates her time to volunteering at cultural events, further strengthening her ties to the vibrant city she calls home.

Jodi Bertolino

Funeral Director, Embalmer

Jodi Bertolino is a licensed funeral director and embalmer. She graduated from Delgado Community College in 2022. Jodi holds a license in both Louisiana and Texas. She is an experienced embalmer who brings a steady presence and attention to detail to every family she works with. Jodi ensures that each family’s needs are met with respect and dignity. She is committed to providing a seamless experience and pays close attention to each detail while caring for others’ loved ones during their time of loss. Outside of work, Jodi enjoys spending time in her garden and cherishing moments with her family. These personal joys bring a sense of calm that she brings to her career, offering support to those she serves.

Michelle D'Aquin

Intern, Crematory Operator

While growing up in Louisiana, Michelle cultivated a lifelong interest in the art of deathcare. She began her journey within the industry at the NOLA Prep Center in 2020 and quickly became an indispensable part of the team. She expanded her skillset to become a licensed crematory operator in 2023. When Michelle is not in the Garden of Memories Crematory, you can find her browsing the shelves at local bookstores or enjoying quality time with her husband and two boys.

Sara Dugas

Intern

Sara Dugas grew up in Louisiana and has always been interested in deathcare.  Sara was the caregiver of her grandmother, who passed away in 2018 from pancreatic cancer. This life experience of caring and losing a loved one spurred her interest in the deathcare industry even further.  Sara graduated in 2024, from Delgado Community College's Funeral Service Program.  Working alongside other funeral directors has made Sara want to pursue a career within the industry and help families navigate their grief.  From gaining the experience of embalming, assisting directors with arrangements and services, truly helped Sara to find her calling in life by helping those who have lost someone very important to them. Sara is well known for her excellent work ethic and sunny disposition. In her spare time, Sara is normally taking care of her family, spending quality time with her partner and friends, going on little adventures, doing crafts, and being out in nature.

Corrie Mayet

Intern

Marc Gelpi

Family Services Manager, Intern

Marc has been helping families for 10 years.  He graduated from Rummel High School and the University of New Orleans.  He is married to Stephanie and is father to Alex, a graduate of Patrick A. Taylor High School and the University of Alabama.  Marc's wife was employed in the corporate office of a funeral home and Marc was looking for a job to allow him the opportunity to give back more to the community.  He joined her in the funeral industry and has been very happy helping families in need.

Catherine Alesich

Family Service Counselor

Catherine came out of retirement from ownership of a private company after the passing of her Mother in 2015.  The experience she and her family suffered at that time was the catalyst for joining the funeral and cemetery industry.  She has raised four children: Chantel, Brent, Katherine and Brielle and has nine grandchildren.  Her travels have taken her around the world extensively and she has lived in Louisiana, Texas, Massachusetts and the Bahamas.  Her first role was as a Family Service Counselor and she was soon promoted to Assistant Family Service Manager, after which she moved to Manager of the Advanced Planning Division.  She thrives on educating her families about the importance of understanding their "Place and Space" for the future!  Protecting her families through pre-planned funeral services, whether traditional or cremation, is one of her passions, as well as hosting seminars to educate the community.  Sharing her life's experiences brings comfort and opens the hearts of her families to share their experiences as well.

Tara Cartner

Family Service Counselor

After an impromptu cemetery tour in the summer of 2016, Tara began her career at Garden of Memories in the Administrative Department where she learned about cemetery and funeral home operations. After her husband passed away in 2023, she brought her personal and professional experience to family service. Tara takes pride in assisting families during difficult and painful times and by offering guidance to families through pre-planning. Tara is a native of Westwego and graduated from L.W. Higgins High School in 1992. She attended Northwest Arkansas Community College, l’Université d’Orléans in France, and graduated from the University of New Orleans in 2012 with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts. Currently residing in Waggaman with her two dogs, Ruzie Q. and Momma, she has lived in different parts of New Orleans and Metairie, Fayetteville, Arkansas and Orléans, France throughout her life. In her spare time, Tara enjoys spending time with her “in-laws and out-laws" as much as possible. She is a "bonus" mom to two amazing adults, and "Ya-Ya" to her adorable grandson. She is a member of the Waggaman Golden Agers Club, and enjoys gardening, thrift store and antique shopping, traveling, some arts and crafts, and occasionally playing the violin very poorly.  

Stephanie Manos

Family Service Counselor

Stephanie obtained a degree in Respiratory Therapy from the School of Nursing at Charity Hospital in New Orleans.  Additionally she was a production coordinator and set designer for true crime reality shows produced here in New Orleans.  Stephanie started with Garden of Memories in 2018 and continues to serve the city, culture and families that she loves.

Ernesto Aguilar

Family Service Counselor

Ernesto hails from Mexico City, and for thirty years he has considered himself as an adopted child of the greater New Orleans area. He graduated as a public accountant from the Intl’ Technical Institute in Mexico City, and is fluent in both, English and Spanish. He’s been married to Dionne for twenty-seven years and has three children: Shaun, Gabrielle and Adrianna, he’s also a proud “Papi” to four grandchildren. As a result of the 9/11 attacks, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve and rose up to the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. He has performed hundreds of military funeral honors. Ernesto is impassioned about helping families prepare, protect and secure their end-of-life pre-need arrangements. He understands the painful moments families face when losing a loved one, and he’s there to make the worst-day-of-their-lives a little easier. As an avid cook, don’t be surprised to find him hosting a crawfish boil, or cooking a tasty pot-o’-gumbo, or perhaps cheering at his grandkids on their ball games sidelines.

Patrick Oxley

Family Service Counselor

Patrick is married to Rachel and is the proud father of three dogs, Lord Byron, Coffee and Scarlett O'Hara.  He had worked at a cemetery in the '90s (where Col. Sanders and Muhammad Ali are buried) bringing in services and had always wanted to return to the community service aspect of that job.  He was happy to find that again in his position as Family Service Counselor and enjoys protecting families and helping them in their times of need.

Victoria Prima

Family Service Counselor

Bill Guillot

Funeral Assistant, Crematory Operator

Karen Andry

Funeral Assistant

Wayne Hampton

Cemetery Superintendent