Gina Noto Tharp
Known for her captivating laugh and dimpled smile, Gina Noto Tharp died peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, January 10, 2022, after a battle with cancer that she fought with grace until the end.
Gina’s zeal for life, family and friends was her hallmark. She was a life force of positive energy with an infectious enthusiasm that enveloped all that she encountered.
She was the devoted wife of John Stewart Tharp for 19 years and the adoring mother of Eliza Douglass (16), Eloise Hains (14) and Maxwell Stewart (11).
She was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on July 9, 1973, and was raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she attended St. Joseph’s Academy.
After moving to Rayne, Louisiana, Gina graduated from St. Thomas More in Lafayette. In 1995, she graduated from the Manship College of Mass Communication at Louisiana State University.
Her long career in sales began with Clear Channel Radio and later WAFB-TV. She found her calling as a pharmaceutical sales representative with Shire Pharmaceuticals for more than 15 years. Over the years, she amassed countless friends through her work whom she remained close with throughout her life.
Despite all that she achieved professionally, her family was her greatest accomplishment. Gina loved nothing more than traveling with them and spending family time in Perdido Beach, Florida and Taos, New Mexico.
Involved in many aspects of Baton Rouge civic life, Gina found a very special love and dedication to the Junior League of Greater Baton Rouge where she contributed her energy and talents for many years. She was a faithful parishioner of SJ and a devoted and active alumnae Tri Delta Sorority.
Gina is survived by her husband and children; mother, Marjorie Dianne McCarty; father, John Anthony Noto and his partner Carolyn Burgh; beloved brothers, John Anthony Noto Jr. and Christopher James Noto, his wife Ashley and their daughters, Payton Evelyn and Avery Elizabeth; mother-in-law, Douglass Stewart Coleman; brothers-in-law, Walter Pharr Tharp and his daughters Frances, Christina and Margaret; Graham Bramlette Tharp and his wife Ashley and their daughter Lee Ellen.
She is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins whom she loved dearly.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Noto, Lt. Col. and Mrs. Justin McCarty; her aunt, Pamela Noto Prejean; and fathers-in-law, John Roger Tharp and Rt. Rev. James Malone Coleman.
Visitation was held in Bishops Hall on Friday, January 14, 2022, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at St. James Episcopal Church followed by Burial Service with Holy Eucharist at 1 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Pilots for Patients who graciously transported Gina to MD Anderson for treatment over the last two years. (https://pilotsforpatients.org or mail: 3127 Mercedes Drive, Monroe, LA 71201).
A heartfelt thank you to Gina’s army of friends, supporters, medical teams and prayer warriors who have encouraged and sustained her over the past two and half years, including the team at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and Cypress Springs Mercedarian Prayer Center.
(Pd.Adv.)