Phyllis Ann Coldewy Landrieu

Phyllis Ann Coldewy Landrieu went to her eternal reward on Saturday, October 10, 2020 in New Orleans surrounded by her loving family. Phyllis was predeceased by her beloved husband of 62 years, Joseph G. Landrieu, Jr. She was also predeceased by her parents, Francis J. Coldewy and Mary T. Coldewy and her mother and father-in-law, Joseph G. Landrieu, Sr. and Loretta B. Landrieu. Phyllis was also preceded in death by her sons, Stephen Landrieu and Scott Landrieu, and her daughter-in-law, Brenda Landrieu. She is survived by her children, Michael Landrieu, Renee Landrieu (Dave Johnson), Gary Landrieu, Joanne Curren (John Curren, Jr.), Judy Klein (Mark Gelis), David Landrieu (Kimberly Flair), Kenneth Landrieu, and Gregory Landrieu (Harriet Landrieu). She is also survived by 18 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, her sisters, Elaine Coldewy Boudreaux and Joan Coldewy Gros, and her brother and sister-in-law, Moon Landrieu and Verna Landrieu. Phyllis' family was the most important thing in the world to her, and she spent her life warmly loving all who entered it. Her proudest accomplishment was that she was a mother of ten. She was full of energy and enthusiasm, most evident by the zeal she had for hosting Mardi Gras each year on her front lawn on St. Charles Avenue and toasting her favorite, Pete Fountain, each Fat Tuesday. She loved to punctuate each Saints touchdown with her sisters by performing their world famous "Who Dat" dance. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Phyllis was born in Baltimore, MD on February 27, 1934 and moved with her family to New Orleans in 1942. A graduate of St. Mary's Dominican High School, she attended Loyola University and later received a B.A. in Marketing Communications at the age of 40 and a Masters Degree in Education from the University of New Orleans at the age of 70. She received an Honorary Doctorate in Letters from Loyola University New Orleans in 2016. A champion for education in Louisiana and for the wellbeing of underserved children, Phyllis was the Founder and President of the Health and Education Alliance of Louisiana (HEAL) and the former President of the Orleans Parish School Board. She was passionate about lobbying for legislation and raising funds to help those in need until her final days. Active in local, state and national politics for many years, Phyllis was the first woman to serve as President of the Louisiana Democratic State Central Committee, a member of the Democratic National Committee, and was the first woman to serve on the New Orleans Aviation Board. The many boards and commissions upon which she served included the Task Force on Child Sexual Abuse (founder), the Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission Consortium for Learners and Learning, the UNO Education Advisory Board, the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, the United Negro College Fund Board (first woman), the New Orleans Navy League Board, the Crescent City Peace Alliance, the House of Ruth (co-founder), the New Orleans Area Health Planning Council, the Louisiana State Health Planning Council and was appointed by President Gerald Ford to the National Health Planning Council. Among many awards, Phyllis was named the 2000 Outstanding Child Advocate by Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana (PCAL), received the 2003 UNO Outstanding Community Service Award, the 2004 Light of Hope Award for Dedication to Abused and Neglected Children (PCAL), the 2007 and 2010 City Business Woman of the Year Award, along with numerous other civil and governmental awards and recognitions. In 1976, Phyllis founded Advantage Public Relations and Landrieu Public Relations, which she operated for 44 years and through which she was instrumental in founding seven hospital systems and served as business development advisor to Tenet Healthcare Inc. She also was a Public Relations Consultant to the New Orleans International Airport. Additionally, she was an advisor and major fundraiser for numerous successful political campaigns on a local and national level. She was a passionate supporter and personal friend of President Jimmy Carter, President Bill Clinton, President Barack Obama, Secretary Hillary Clinton and Representative Lindy Boggs, as well as an untiring supporter of her family members, former Mayors Moon and Mitch Landrieu and Senator Mary Landrieu. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 14 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Francis Assisi Catholic Church, 631 State Street in New Orleans. A Requiem Funeral Mass will follow immediately at Noon. Burial will be private. Donations can be made in Phyllis' honor to HEAL, 1700 Josephine St., New Orleans, LA 70113. To view and sign the guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.