Leila Flournoy Schumacher

Leila was born February 2, 1930, in New Orleans to Charles Priestley "Peggy" Flournoy and Mildred Holliday Flournoy. She married Carl J. Schumacher, Jr., with whom she raised five children before they went their separate ways later in life.

She is preceded in death by her former husband, Carl Schumacher; her daughter, Katherine Holliday "Holly" Schumacher Seckel; and her son, Steven Stone Schumacher.

She is survived by her sons, Carl David Schumacher (Ann), Robert Priestley Schumacher, and Gerald "Jerry" Flournoy Schumacher (Linda). She is also survived by her grandchildren: Katie and William, Jackson, Madison, and Jourdan, and Emily, Ryan, Hannah, Culloden, and Noah, as well as her son-in-law, Rich Seckel.

Leila lived a life defined by compassion and resolve. She graduated from Louise S. McGehee School in 1947 and earned her degree in Early Childhood Education from Newcomb College in 1951. While at Newcomb, she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority, a swimming instructor at Holly Day Camp in Audubon Park, and a teacher at the Newcomb Nursery School. Her love and devotion to caring for others were evident from an early age.

The epitome of a matriarch, Leila's Nashville Avenue family home was known for being a sanctuary for both family and friends, a sort of delicate balance of chaos and love. Her boys kept her on her toes, while Holly kept her grounded. Leila pursued a new professional chapter. She enrolled at Soule Business College, where she learned to type, and went on to earn her Paralegal Certificate from Tulane University in 1983 through evening and summer classes. Applying these new skills, she worked at Schumacher Law Corporation in many capacities, including paralegal, secretary, and bookkeeper.

Never one to settle, she went on to work as a Development Associate at the Audubon Institute, where she discovered a new meaning in butterflies. From 1999 to 2012, she served as Executive Director of the Women's Professional Council of New Orleans, and then led the New Orleans Estate Planning Council as Executive Director until her well-earned retirement in 2015. We could all only hope for a life and career so well lived.

Leila deeply treasured the spiritual community she found at Trinity Episcopal Church, where her faith and close friendships developed over many years. She served as a greeter, a member of the Newcomer Committee, and a leader in both the DOCC and Stephen Ministry. She was also active with the Solomon Episcopal Conference Center as a member of its Board of Directors and Board of Visitors.

Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting Leila knew she was gracious, yet sincere. She brought a certain care and attentiveness to every interaction, and her ability to connect with people was unmatched. Most of all, she treasured time with her family, and never passed up the chance to give or receive one of her famously big hugs. To her grandchildren, she will always be "Gramby."

Funeral services will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Avenue in New Orleans, on Tuesday, Nov 11, 2025, at 11:00AM. Graveside service to follow at Lake Lawn Park Cemetery, 5454 Pontchartrain Blvd in New Orleans, at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Leila's name to Trinity Episcopal Church or to A's & Aces, a New Orleans nonprofit, founded by her son David, whose mission she proudly championed.