Mary Hargis Coxe

Mary Hargis Coxe passed away at her Uptown home on April 19, 2025, spending her last days surrounded by family and her dearest friends. A lifelong resident of New Orleans, Mary was born on May 9, 1945. Mary was the daughter of the late Milton Joseph and Rhoda Meyer Hargis. Due to the death of her mother when she was two years old, Mary was raised by her grandparents, the late Walter Conrad and Mary Louise Sair Meyer. Mary attended Holy Name of Jesus, Mercy Academy and Loyola University.

Mary managed Quality Restorations, her husband’s construction company where she gained invaluable business experience that enabled her to transition to a successful 38-year career in the arts as the Director of Dyansen Gallery and Martin Lawrence Gallery, both located on Royal Street.

She was preceded in death by her husband John Marshall Coxe, and later, her dear friend, Dr. Manuel (Manny) Paez, MD.

She is survived by her son, Jack Coxe, stepsons, Leland (Kathy), David, and Johnny (Carol) Coxe, and her brother, Dr. Robert Hargis, MD of Covington, grandchildren, Hope Gann, Christopher Coxe (Brittni), and Stefanie Coxe (Christian), nieces, Rhoda Hackman (Jeff), Mary Hathorn (Miles), and Rachel Rush (Allen), and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Throughout her final journey, Mary was lovingly cared for by her closest friend, Janie Strayhan, as well as Pinky Daigre, Suzie McKinney, Linda Green and others. Their compassion and support brought comfort and dignity to Mary’s two-year battle with cancer.

The Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00AM on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at St. Rita Catholic Church, 2729 Lowerline St. New Orleans, LA. 70125. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM. Burial will follow, privately, at Metairie Cemetery at the Meyer family tomb.

A celebration of Mary’s life will be held on May 22nd at Martin Lawrence Gallery at 6:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s memory can be made to St. Rita Catholic Church Building Fund at https://stritanola.com/planned-giving or by mailing to 2729 Lowerline Street, New Orleans, LA 70125.

To view and sign the Family online guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com