Mary Wallis Cooper was called home on the morning of September 14, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. She was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on March 31, 1949. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Earl A. Dufrene; her parents, Kathryn Malloy Wallis and John Gordon Wallis; and her older brother, John Gordon Wallis, Jr., “Gordy.” She is survived by her daughters, Anne Cooper Arana (Julio) and Kathryn Cooper Suire (Tim); and her six grandchildren whom she adored: Maryclaire, Vivian, and Lillian Arana and Caroline, Charlotte, and Harry Suire. She is also survived by her seven brothers and sisters, Kay, Marian, Jane, Anne, Mark, Pat, and Joe, along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
Mary attended St. Stephen elementary school and Mercy Academy high school. She was a lifelong learner, with an insatiable curiosity about the world around her. Mary loved reading, art and travel. She took great joy in sharing her love of learning with her grandchildren, often taking them to museums, discussing history and current events with them, and encouraging them to be independent thinkers and to learn new things continually throughout their lives.
Above all, Mary loved her family. She believed that life was, at its core, simple, and that all that really mattered in life was love. Mary leaves to her family her gift of love. That love will continue on through her children, her grandchildren, her sisters and brothers, and through every life she touched.
Services will be held on September 25th, 2026 at St Francis of Assisi Church, visitation at 11:00 am with a Catholic mass to follow at 12 noon.
