Laurie Ann Wogan

Laurie Ann Bailey Wogan, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother passed away peacefully on August 31, 2025 at the age of 70. She was the wife of 43 years to Charles Stuart "Buddy" Wogan and a resident of Slidell, Louisiana since their marriage in 1982. She was born in New Orleans to the late August Vincent and Joyce Anna Alwert Bailey. Laurie graduated from Abramson High School and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dietetics at L. S. U. followed by a Masters of Public Health Degree in Nutrition from the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. She had a distinct love for the science of Nutrition and that devotion along with the research skills she learned at Tulane proved to be a valuable asset she would later use in her efforts to survive in a 15 year-long illness with breast cancer. Following her graduation from Tulane, Laurie turned her attention to her family, raising three children, Keith Michael (Bryttany), David Matthew (Jessica), and Patrick Charles Wogan. Recalling trips she made with her brother and friends to the National Forests in the West and summer she spent working as a camping counselor at Camp Yanahlossee , she followed her husband, Buddy, into the program offered by the Boy Scouts of America. Becoming a Den Leader and program coordinator for her three boys she saw them grow and mature while experiencing memorable adventures as they progressed through Cub and Boy Scouts. She became an avid camper and loved to spend time with them in the Great Outdoors. Along the way she became a skilled archery instructor mentoring well over a thousand young boys and girls in the sport of archery. For that, she was recognized with the District Award of Merit. When her boys had grown to where they could take care of themselves, she turned her attention to a 14 year career of helping preK and Kindergarten school children learn as a special- ed para-professional support staff member with the St Tammany Parish School Board. Serving at Brock and Alton Elementary Schools in Slidell, Laurie brought with her to the classroom a certain soft and friendly demeanor that brought calm and peace to the learning experience of her students which helped them accept, as well as adapt to, the discipline and regimen demanded by the school environment. She cherished their response to her with their many hugs and "I love you, Mrs. Wogan." She had an avid interest in genealogy. She learned to navigate the computer programs to gain information. Then Buddy and she would take road trips visiting churches, libraries, and court houses to gather more detail. Lastly, they would visit the places where their ancestors had lived or were interred. She is credited with solving a daunting family mystery which opened her paternal line back an additional 3 generations and gave her a new friendship with a distant cousin. Aside from her work, Laurie enjoyed attending family gatherings. She kept close relationships with her immediate family and cousins and could always be seen milling around and visiting with them at those gatherings. She was always grateful to have lived long enough to see her grandchildren. Laurie was an active member of Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Slidell. In addition to her parents, Laurie is preceded in death by her sister, Constance Escoffier. Laurie is also survived by her brother, August Vincent Bailey, Jr (Terri); her sister, Deborah Menesses (Robbie); and 5 grandchildren, Andrew Paul Wogan, Kain Richard Wogan, Martin Aiden Wogan, Sean Francis Wogan, and Serafina Valene Mae Wogan. Funeral Services will be held at Honaker Funeral Home, 1751 Gause Blvd West, Slidell LA 70460, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon, followed by the funeral service at 2:00pm. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery.