

Ana was born in El Salvador, the youngest of five children. Her childhood was full of learning, curiosity, and adventure — especially time spent on the Pacific Ocean she loved so much. Eventually, she moved to the United States with her three children and began a new life in New Orleans, a city rich with her love of music and food and, of course, dancing. Her adventurous spirit took her all over the world — destinations too many to list — but the loving home she created for her three (and then four) children was where she was happiest.
Her faith also played a large part in her life, and she lived her beliefs through action, founding a children’s scholarship charity in El Salvador and making regular pilgrimages around the world, as well as doing charitable work through various local churches. She always found a way to give back, not only to the places and people she held close to her heart, but also to strangers in need.
Ana leaves behind a wide and loving community of friends and family, including her daughter Katya Graham and grandson Sebastian Majure; her daughter Claudia Mata and grandchildren Mila and Nico Gladish; and her son Edgar Mata. She is now in heaven, reunited with her beloved son, Erik Kjorling. Her spirit lives on in those she loved so deeply.
For those who would like to join us in honoring Ana’s life, there will be an Overnight Wake at Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos Church, 3037 Dauphine St. in New Orleans, on January 16, 2026 from 7:00 PM – 8:00 AM; Funeral Mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 444 Metairie Rd. in Metairie, on January 17, 2026 at 1:00 PM; Interment in Metairie Cemetery, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on January 17, 2026 at 2:00 PM following Mass; and a Celebration of Life at Ridgeway of Old Metairie, 2431 Metairie Rd, on January 17, 2026 from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Hispanic Apostolate. Checks can be made out and mailed to: Ladies Auxiliary of the Hispanic Apostolate, 2525 Maine Avenue, Metairie LA 70003.
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Ladies Auxiliary of the Hispanic Apostolate2525 Maine Ave., Metairie, LA 70003
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