Mary Ellen Gomez Wagner

On Sunday, October 12, Mary Ellen Gomez Wagner was guided by The Blessed Mother to begin her life with the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. She is preceded in death by her husband, Captain Carl J. Wagner, Jr.; her mother, Cecilia Gladys Gomez; father, James Gomez; her sister, Josephine Ann Kolwe (Ronald); and her niece, Cynthia Kolwe Bulger. She is survived by her son, Carl J. Wagner, III; daughter, Maria E. Wagner; sister, Elizabeth Laiche (Jerry); brother-in-law, Jerry Barbin and the Barbin family; and her beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends – old and new.

Mary Ellen was a native New Orleanian who loved taking a streetcar to window shop on Canal Street, loved animals, comic books, and who adored her parents and two sisters, JoAnn and Betty. Drawn to the arts, she had a natural talent in singing, dance, and acting. In her teenage years, she had a love for community theater, studying under Ty Tracy and doing stage performances at NORD Theater, and being a member of the Highlights. She was a dreamer whose youthful aspirations of breaking into show business propelled her to determinately concoct countless schemes to meet major motion picture stars when they were in New Orleans. Her persistent shenanigans, similar to episodes of I Love Lucy, included antics like a foiled plan to slide down a hotel’s laundry shoot into the room she was informed Yul Brynner would be in; or crawling past the front desk of WDSU studios, busting in on a live airing of Dick Van Dykes local television production, causing the director to cut filming as she was chased around the set on live local television; or even sneaking into a secured area of a hotel to meet producer Cecil B. Demille to request and audition. Before staff caught up with her, she managed to slide a letter under Demille’s door introducing herself and basically demanding a movie contract. Her gumption impressed Mr. Demille, who, upon returning to Hollywood, sent her a letter of encouragement from his Paramount Studios office. We have the original letter to this day.

When she wasn’t wreaking havoc to break into show business, she worked for K&B on St.Charles for many years in their printing department before getting married and residing in Metairie. In her late teens, she and her sister JoAnn did studio work as back up harmonizing vocalists. And Mary Ellen sang backup vocals for the 1950's nightclub band, The Southernaires, where she would meet and marry the drummer and love of her life, Carl Wagner, Jr.

When in Metairie, she was a devoted wife and mother, raising two children (Carl, III and Maria) and her family and pets were her world. She taught genuine love by example.

She also became an avid cyclist, reader, cook, and could nurse any orphaned animal, bird or rodent back to thriving status. She was a devout Catholic and had an adoration for The Blessed Mother, for whom she was named after. She was self-taught in piano, ukulele, harmonica and bongos, and in her 70's decided to take up drawing, teaching herself the art of sketching.

She loved to converse and could relate to anybody. Being well read, she was well spoken in areas of history, politics, world events, theology, and science, and could hold her own in any

topic of conversation. A phrase often heard from people when describing Mary was “she’s my best friend”. She was kind, modest, generous and non-judgmental. She was honest, trustworthy, and funny. And she was strong. She was the beauty of Liz Taylor; the comedy of Lucille Ball; the elegance of Grace Kelly; and the rebellion of James Dean. She was Mary Ellen Gomez Wagner, and there was simply no one like her. She already is, and will be, dearly missed. She is now reunited with her beloved police officer, as they listen to oldies but goodies and talk all night again.

A heartfelt and special thank you to the staff of Metairie Healthcare Center, who became an adopted family and a home away from home. We were blessed with some of the best people we’ve ever met who loved their Ms. Mary as she them. The memories shared with staff, residents, and family of fellow residents will be in our grateful hearts forever.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to an organization dedicated to animal welfare.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd in New Orleans, on Friday, October 17, 2025. Visitation will begin at 10 AM with a Mass following at 12 PM. Mary Ellen will be laid to rest beside her husband in Masonic Cemetery #1 immediately after the Mass has concluded.