Mary Ozburn

Our mother, Mary Louise “Cookie” Ozburn, was born on Saturday, March 31st, 1945 in Detroit, Michigan. Beginning at the age of 2, she was raised by her paternal grandmother, the late Mary Anibel Hoxie Ozburn. She was a member of Rainbow Girls and the Girl Scouts while growing up. Our mom graduated from Cody High School in Detroit, Michigan. She worked most of her life in the banking industry, and broke the glass ceiling in many areas. Proud is not a strong enough word to describe how we feel about our mother’s contributions to the advancement of women in the work force. She once said, “I finally made it to the board room, but they only had a men’s bathroom.” In 1982, before she moved our family from Michigan to Louisiana, she borrowed a mobile home and drove us girls all around the state of Michigan. Upon leaving Michigan National Bank and arriving in New Orleans, she worked for Hibernia National Bank before moving on to several other local banks. She was diagnosed in 1996 with breast cancer, and BEAT IT!! Every year she would participate in the Breast Cancer Run Walk and proudly wear her “Survivor” hat. Later in life, she actively attended Unity Church in New Orleans. Mom always said how lucky and blessed she was to the most amazing friends in her life. At the age of 13 she met her best friend of more than 57 years, Diane Melton. Over the years there were “pauses”, but each knew when to hit “play” on their friendship. The bond these two shared is truly inspirational to us. Then, there is Sha’ Weber Buikema, her friend of 35 plus years. And, Debby Hughes, her friend of twenty plus years. Her treasured cousin Janet Tarkowski. These 4 exceptional ladies accepted and loved our mother…and she felt honored and humbled to have you all in her life. She was the most amazing and beloved mother to Kristin MacRae Turner (Rob), Nicole MacRae DeMatteo (Jake). The adored grandma to Anibel Katherine MacRae (21), Nicolas Jeffery Miller (17), and “Mimi” to Ian Caleb Turner (4). WE are the legacy she created and gave life to. WE, her “girls”, will continue to carry on her lessons of strength, courage, acceptance and unconditional love. Mom, whom they called “Cook”, was the step-daughter to Mary Oliver Ozburn, cherished sister of John R. Ozburn (Renee), Julie Ozburn (Steve), Jane Ozburn Armbruster (Luke), Janice Ozburn Moreno (Daniel) and Guy Gallop.. She was a dear “Aunt Cookie” to Jeanne, Greg, Chris, Jeff, Aura, Andra, Reanne, Heather, Bonnie, Logan, John Michael and Jordyn. Mom was also the “bonus” grandma to Brandon and Joel DeMatteo. Mom was preceded in death by her daughter, Anne Louise MacRae (1964). Her father, Charles Logan Ozburn and her mother, Mary “Molly” Blair. Her older brothers, Charles Burton Ozburn and William Blair Ozburn. When mom was with her brothers, the cutting up, joking and laughing was an Olympic sport. We can only imagine the good times they are having up there. Mom’s constant companion for 13 years was her darling white Labrador Retriever, Stella. They were inseparable and as tight as human and dog can be. Not long after Stella’s passing, mom just happened to come upon St. Francis Animal Sanctuary showing some of their rescued dogs. It took just one look, and she was mommy to a Black Mouth Cur puppy named Scout. Our mother was diagnosed with lung cancer in November of 2014. Her approach to managing her illness and fighting this horrific disease was awe inspiring. She went out on her terms and said when enough was enough. Our mom was one tough “Cookie”. Mom passed on Sunday, August 28th, 2016. We, her “girls”, were at her bedside. Her beloved granddaughter, Anibel and her oldest grandson, Nicolas, were with her as well. Scout was there, too. We promised our mom we would be there to the end, and we were. Upon her passing, a beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace on the bagpipes played as she so gracefully and peacefully ascended to Heaven …with her loving God waiting with open arms.

“What we have once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” — Helen Keller

We will be having a Celebration of our mother’s life on Saturday, September 24th, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. It will be held at 14035 S. Lakeshore Drive, Covington, Louisiana 70435. Should friends or family desire, donations may be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org) or to St. Francis Animal Sanctuary (sfas.org).