Thelma Noreen Coghlan Willis

A writer, lecturer and an opera and concert singer who was formerly associated with the Chicago Opera, she died at St. Clare Manor on Friday, June 29, 2007. A native of Emporia, Kan., and a resident of Baton Rouge since 1948, she was active in local civic and cultural affairs, having served on the board of the Baton Rouge Symphony and the Community Concerts Association. She was a founding member of such support groups as the Volunteers of America Auxiliary and the Community Concert Guild. She also twice served on the Governor's Council for the Arts and held membership in the Philharmonic Society and the Past President's Assembly. Together with her late husband, local druggist Riggs P. Willis, she was a century member of the Istrouma Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. She was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church. She is survived by son and daughter-in-law, the Rev. Chandler Michael and Barrie Stirling Willis of Covington; two granddaughters, Catherine Linfield Willis of Covington, and Christine Willis Bothel and her husband, Jonathan Bothel, of Baton Rouge; grandson, Chandler M. Willis Jr. and his wife, Claire Losavio Willis; and a great-granddaughter, who was Maw Maw's heart, Evangeline Grace Willis. Preceded in death by her husband, Riggs P. Willis; parents, John Timothy Coghlan of Wichita, Kan., and Eunice Elizabeth Coghlan White of Fort Worth, Texas; a brother, William Dennis Coghlan of New York City; and a sister, Mary Delyn Coghlan of Fort Worth. Visitation in the Dunham Chapel of First Presbyterian Church, 700 North Blvd., on Tuesday, July 3, from noon until Service of Witness to the Resurrection at 2 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Dick Gates. Interment in Greenoaks Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Chandler M. Willis Jr., Jonathan P. Bothel, Thomas M. Ferriss III, Kenneth L. Armstrong III, Steven Barker and Neal McRoberts. The family would like to thank St. Joseph Hospice, the staff of the 500 wing at St. Clare Manor, and close friend, Melanie McRoberts for the special care they provided. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Covington Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church Restoration Fund or the LSU School of Music.