Anne Marie Fargason

Anne Marie Schneider Fargason passed away on April 16, 2025. Born in New Orleans on January 21, 1947, Anne Marie graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge and went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University in 1969. Following graduation, she moved to New Orleans—a city she loved—and began a career in hospitality, which included positions at the Royal Orleans, New Orleans Hyatt Regency, and the executive office at the Superdome. In 1980, Anne Marie married the love of her life, Jim Fargason. Together they shared a joyful life filled with cooking, sailing, traveling, reading, and time spent with treasured family and friends.

 They had two beloved daughters, Carmel Anne Fargason and Ellen Anne Fargason. As the girls grew up, Anne Marie became an active volunteer in their lives, serving on parent councils at Our Lady of the Lake and later at St. Scholastica Academy. Anne Marie was a devoted volunteer elsewhere in her community, chairing Relay for Life in Mandeville to raise funds for the American Cancer Society in tribute to her own journey with breast cancer, as well as contributing her time to the Old Mandeville Historic Association. Anne Marie had a deep love for the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in New Orleans, where she served in many roles, most notably with the Symphony Volunteers. Her favorite initiative was the Symphony Book Fair, for which she served as Chairwoman and volunteered annually for many years. She served on the City of Mandeville Parks and Parkways Commission, continuing the legacy she and Jim shared of protecting trees and nurturing green spaces throughout the community.

 The family treasures memories of many wonderful adventures—to her beloved Ireland, Scotland, Costa Rica, Italy, navigating a houseboat through the canals of Burgundy, a sailing charter in the British Virgin Islands, and strolls along the Mandeville lakefront. Passionate about genealogy, Anne Marie relished tracing family history back many generations. Anne Marie was also a consummate hostess and enjoyed holding many years of Thanksgiving feasts with extended family, tea parties, showers, and more at the family’s home in Old Mandeville.

 She was preceded in death by her parents, John L. “Bud” and Carmel Lundin Schneider, and her husband, James F. Fargason Jr.

 She is survived by her daughters Carmel Anne Fargason Lavaud (Romain) and Ellen Anne Fargason Mathis (Timothy), as well as her beloved stepdaughter, Elizabeth Fargason Stanga (Len). Her grandchildren—Laura Anne Mathis, Peter James Mathis, and Molly Eloïse Lavaud—adored their ReRe. She also leaves behind her siblings: Jack Schneider (Jackie), Mary Beth Schneider Matthews (Fred), Jill Schneider, Michael Schneider (Anne), and Jimmy Schneider (Cindy), along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dearly treasured friends and neighbors.

 A memorial service will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 312 Lafitte St., Mandeville, Louisiana, on Monday, April 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. A celebration of life will follow at the Pontchartrain Yacht Club. Interment will be private.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Anne Marie’s memory through the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. To give a memorial gift use the tab below.