Leah Ziegler Garrison, 91, passed away on March 8, 2026. She was born in New Orleans on November 21, 1934, to Harold Ferdinand Ziegler Sr. and Virginia Moore Ziegler. Leah cherished spending time with those she loved.
She was a devout and practicing Catholic whose faith in God guided her life and brought her great comfort and strength. She had a warm and outgoing spirit and treasured the many friendships she formed throughout her life. Known for her love of cooking and good meals, Leah delighted in hosting her large family and friends around her table. She also took great pride in her garden and spent many hours tending and enjoying the beauty she created.
A devoted and busy homemaker, Leah raised five children and poured her steady care and attention into her family each day. She found her greatest joy in her grandchildren and cherished every moment spent with them.
Leah was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Judge Jim Garrison and Lt. Col. Donald E. Dilley (USMC); son, John Lyon; sister, May Massey; and brother, Harold Ferdinand Ziegler, Jr.
Survivors include her children, Jim Garrison, Virginia (Kemp Gordon) Garrison, Lyon “Snapper” (Lisa) Garrison, Elizabeth (Melvin) Fallen, and Eberhard Garrison; sister, Adele Eckert; and grandchildren, Myles Gordon, Travis (Maia) Garrison, Maxwell (Amanda) Garrison, Grant Garrison, Sarah (Devin) O’Brien, Garrison Fallen, Molly Fallen, Margaret Fallen, Alexandra Garrison, and Aidan Garrison; great grandchildren, Harper Garrison, Nicholas Garrison, and Maxwell Garrison, Jr. Leah is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Leah’s caregiver and companion, Megan Morell; Hospice House in Slidell; and St. Tammany Parish Hospice.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral mass at 12:00 pm, Monday, March 16, 2026, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am prior to the service. Interment will be in Metairie Cemetery.
To view and sign the family online guestbook and share your memories of Leah, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice House, P.O. Box 5806, Slidell, LA 70469.
