Mary Rodgers Obituary

Mary Anne Rodgers, a lifelong resident of the greater New Orleans area, died peacefully at home on September 19, 2024 at the age of 65. Mary Anne's heart was filled with love for helping all people in need, especially children. She cherished her years as a teacher and librarian, and consistently made time for her young nieces and nephews. Mary Anne possessed an ability to observe the humor in everyday situations, and her contagious laughter was shared with family and close friends and will be greatly missed. Her fervent faith and devotion to Christ, her Savior, inspired many family members and friends to request her prayers for special intentions and compelled her to volunteer in many capacities, including feeding the homeless and prison ministry. Mary Anne was born on November 30, 1958. She attended St Andrew the Apostle in Algiers, and graduated from St. Raphael the Archangel Elementary School and St. Mary's Dominican High School in New Orleans. She received her undergraduate degree in Special Education, as well as a Master's degree in Children's Reading Disabilities, from The University of New Orleans. After several years as a teacher in the New Orleans and St. Bernard public school systems, including Sherwood Forest Elementary in New Orleans East, she returned to her studies to earn a Master's degree in Library Science from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. She then worked as a librarian at Holy Cross College and Christ Episcopal School. Mary Anne concluded her professional career with greater than 15 years in the children's department at the Jefferson Parish Library Main Branch in Metairie, where it was a great joy for her to plan special activities and events for the children's summer reading programs and story telling times. Mary Anne touched many children's lives during her long career, using creative techniques to inspire and teach children to read. Mary Anne was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Michael Rodgers, Jr. and Mathilda Ducos Rodgers, and her brothers, William John Rodgers and Michael James Rodgers. Survivors include three sisters, Maureen Clifford (Jack), Carolyn Melcher (Archibald), and Sharon Yadven (Mitchell); her sister-in-law, Patricia Ipser Rodgers; two brothers Thomas Michael Rodgers III (Cathie) and John Patrick Rodgers; and eight nieces and nephews, Kathleen and Megan Clifford, Archibald (Jessica), Andrew, and Adeline Melcher, William John Rodgers II, and Sarah and Maxwell Yadven. And one great-niece, Cecilia Melcher. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124, with prayers at 1:45 p.m. Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. in All Saints Mausoleum, St. Raphael Corridor.