Sarah Elizabeth Willard

Sarah Elizabeth Willard, a lifelong resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, affectionately known as “Swillie” and “TeeTee”, departed this life on August 12, 2021, at the age of 38. She was a beloved granddaughter, daughter, sister, niece, cousin, and friend.

Sarah was preceded in death by: her grandparents, Charles and Myrtle Gibbins, Robert and Neva Willard; her uncle, Edward McInnis; and her cousin, Robert J. Swayne, III. She is survived by: her parents, Geoff and Patrice Willard; her brother Geoffrey, sister-in-law Megan, and nieces Quinn and Reese; significant other Andrew Hildreth; puppy dogs Henry and Cooch; aunts and uncles Gretchen McInnis, Robyn and Elliot Cooperman, Stu and Chrissy Willard; and cousins: Barbara Swayne, Christopher Vance, Danielle and John Vu, Charles McInnis, Meredith and Kyle Grissum, Rachel Cooperman, Hannah Cooperman, Rebecca Cooperman, Eden Navarrete, Summer Navarrete, Amber Vance, Juni Vu, Amelia Watkins, Kaylee Watkins, Donovan Grissum, and Ryder Grissum.

Growing up in New Orleans, Sarah attended Lusher School, Ben Franklin Senior High, and Ursuline Academy, where she was a Mac of 2000. In 2007, she graduated from Loyola University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and minor in Forensics. While at Loyola, she was a forensic intern, setting up crimes, and a member of the crew team.

Sarah put her chemistry skills to work at LSU Health and Science Center and perhaps more notably in tending bar at popular local watering holes, including Rendezvous Tavern and The Kingpin. She also worked as an office manager for Dubendorfer Construction.

Always an aspiring chef, Sarah worked as a prep and line cook at Gautreau’s, pastry chef at Marcello’s,

“kitchen witch” at Mick’s Irish Pub, and cook at Children’s Hospital where she loved commanding the Children’s Line to feed all the hungry patients. She also fed all the hungry relatives at holiday gatherings and “just because we’re family” dinners (God bless the cooks!) and was known for showing up with homemade pepper jellies and desserts.

In 2017, Sarah took a creative leap with her culinary talents and launched SwilliePop!, a foodie pop-up featuring fancy sammies and tacos, homemade pastas, and pastries. More recently, she was planning a move to Orlando with Andrew and family to manage a catering business.

In Sarah’s short life, she poured her heart into so many things. She loved the arts and the theater. She played Gretel in Sound of Music, an orphan girl in Annie, the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland, and was part of the Lullaby League in Wizard of Oz, to name a few.

Sarah had many talents such as playing the piano, creative writing, and painting pictures. Sarah was an artist and crocheted beautiful blankets and scarves. She was known for dressing up in costumes for Mardi Gras and Halloween. She loved music of every kind and would dance at every opportunity.

Sarah was an athlete. She was a kickboxing instructor and a brown belt in tae-kwon-do. She was a runner, and enjoyed running the Crescent City Classic and training for marathons. At various times in her life, she was a cheerleader, a soccer player, an expert pistol and rifle marksman, and many more.

She was proud of her heritage, especially her German and Choctaw lineage. She was a lifelong member of Salem Church and also sang in the Choir. She was a dancer for the Volkstanzer Von New Orleans German Folk Dancers. One of her favorite places to go was Deutsches Haus, and she loved to do the chicken dance.

Sarah formed a personal bond with everything and everyone she loved, her smile lit up a room. Henry Norman and Cooch were her babies (her pups), they were frequently seen snuggling daily on the couch and she loved bragging about them on social media. She was also known for naming all her plants, such as Aloe-icious. She loved visiting with the Blanchets in Meaux and Grand Isle, LA. She is our sunshine, somewhere over the rainbow. We will always think of her when we see sunflowers, butterflies and ladybugs.

A Celebration of Sarah’s Life will be held at a later date due to Covid restrictions and the anticipated number of guests. The family invites you to share fond memories and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com