Beverly Gertrude Sechrest Mulligan, a native of Kansas City, Missouri, and a resident of Baton Rouge since 1970, passed away on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at the age of 98. She was a resident of St. James Place for 21 years, moving in the week after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Bev grew up in downtown Kansas City on family land shared by her mother and aunts, in farmhouses built by her uncle. Surrounded by cousins, fruit trees, and vegetable gardens during the Depression, she learned resilience early. She loved sports at a time when few opportunities existed for girls, and she delighted audiences with school performances as a talented young ventriloquist.
Bev worked briefly in Kansas City before marrying Ed Mulligan—a chemist she met at a Catholic church social, where Ed's sisters introduced her. Their life together took them from Kansas City to Yonkers, New York, where they raised four children, and later to Baton Rouge and Brussels, Belgium. They were married 57 years and traveled the world together wherever Ed's work took him. While raising their family, she generously volunteered in public school libraries.
At St. Thomas More parish in the 1970s and 80s, Bev served faithfully as a longtime CCD teacher, provided administrative support to the rectory, and delivered Meals on Wheels, offering steady support to those in need. An introvert by nature, Bev never sought attention, yet her faith was unmistakable in her kindness and her constant smile. She guided her children with gentle wisdom, believed wholeheartedly in the power of prayer, and lived her values through quiet acts of love.
She is survived by her children, Margaret Nardecchia (Dave) of Austin, TX, Terry Gitnick of Cohoes, NY, Mary Mulligan of Central, and Dan Mulligan of Baton Rouge; Her grandchildren, Shana Gitnick of Seattle, WA, Joan Alison (Jon) of Clifton Park, NY, Amy Gitnick (Will) of Washington D.C, Tina Rodosta and Jake Rodosta of Central, LA, Ryne Nardecchia and Grace Nardecchia of Chicago, IL; and her great-grandchildren, Matthew Alison and Sarah Alison of Clifton Park, NY, and Soren Gitnick of Seattle, WA.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Mulligan; son, Michael Mulligan; son-in-law, Ben Gitnick; parents, Rose and Harry Sechrest; brother, Charles Sechrest; and mother-in-law, Mamie Mulligan.
We will remember her tap dancing in the kitchen. We will remember her resilience, her honesty, and her courage—even when she felt anxious. She made us feel safe and loved. She taught us that through prayer and affirmation, anything is possible. We will miss her singing, her laughter, and her steady guidance. Bev lived her best life—and she was enough. Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.
Family and friends are invited to attend Bev’s Funeral Mass at 12:00 pm Monday, February 2, 2026, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2025 Stuart Ave., Baton Rouge, officiated by Father Mike Moroney. A rosary will precede the service at 11:30 am. Burial will be at 3:00 pm February 2 at Greenoaks Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.
