Rita Agnes Graff Dollar

Rita Mary Graff Dollar, age 101, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2026. She was born on May 16, 1924, at home in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Louis X. Graff, Jr. and Agnes Sniff Graff.

Rita enjoyed a long and distinguished professional career as an accountant with A&P Food Stores, where she worked for 39 years. During that time, she served 15 years as Financial Controller and held the position of Chief Financial Officer at the division level. Even after retiring, her expertise remained in demand, and she continued working by assisting with opening new stores and training upper-level management.

She was deeply committed to service and leadership and was actively involved in numerous organizations, including the Boy Scouts, Toastmasters International, Volunteers of America, Trails and Rails (Amtrak), the National Association for Female Executives, the New Orleans Preservation Society, and Lakeview Regional Hospital. Rita held many leadership roles throughout these organizations, including president, vice president, and secretary. She was also a proud member of the Go-Go Girls Red Hat organization.

Rita lived a life of curiosity and learning. She traveled extensively throughout Europe, taught English in Poland, created educational tapes for the blind, and worked as a substitute English teacher at local high schools. She was also a member of the Krewe of Diana Mardi Gras organization in New Orleans.

One of Rita’s greatest joys was Toastmasters, where she thrived as a speaker and leader. She won numerous first-place awards for her speeches and served as Vice President of Education for more than ten years, mentoring countless members along the way.

In her younger years, Rita enjoyed playing tennis, swimming, and reading. Later in life, she found joy in playing solitaire and completing word search books, always keeping her sharp mind engaged.

Rita is survived by her daughter, Melanie Russell; her grandchildren, Courtney Kentzel, Erica (Chris) Fountain, Jamie Kentzel, Josh (Dena) Kentzel, Kristen (Michael) Hogan, Shawn Hima, Ted Kentzel, Trey Kentzel, Troy (Kesley) Dollar and; her great-grandchildren, Addison Hogan, Bryson Hogan, Christopher Gement, Colton Hogan, Dylan Hogan, Eric Fountain, Jenae Dollar, Matthew Gement, Teddy Kentzel, Victor Kentzel, William Gement and her daughter-in-law, Ruth Dollar.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Kurt Dollar; daughter, Karol Kentzel; son-in-law, William (Billy) Kentzel, and her brothers, Jack, E. J. and Brother Graff.

Rita will be remembered for her intelligence, leadership, generosity, and lifelong dedication to learning and service. Her legacy lives on through the many lives she touched and the family she loved deeply.

The family will receive friends at a visitation on Friday, January 23, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Immaculate Conception Church, 865 Hatchell Lane, Denham Springs, LA 70726. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30 AM, with a reception at 12:30 PM. Interment will take place immediately following the reception at Evergreen Memorial Park, 1710 S. Range Avenue, Denham Springs, LA 70726.