For Phyllis Landrieu

#savinghope is dedicated to Phyllis Landrieu--a Saint among us all. She dedicated her life to the children in and around us all--her impact will be felt for generations to come.

Below Phyllis Landrieu's grand nephew (?) heaves the coffin as if carrying it alone as young men do when first carrying the burden of death. This moment is the equivalent of JFK Jr. saluting his father's casket drawn by horse for Louisiana. The Democratic matriarch of the Big Easy and the State and the Country has passed without fanfare, quietly. But, Phyllis did not live quietly, she danced The Who Dat on every Saint's touch down--leading her friends and even strangers with an intoxicating smile and a hand for all. She is an all in poker player of life, she is an example for us all especially during this time of accelerating home-loss, family displacement, and structural unemployment born of the #covid19 pandemic.

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020, St. Francis Assisi Catholic Church, 631 State St., New Orleans, Louisiana

Phyllis Landrieu, former Orleans School Board president and child education advocate, dies at 86  Landrieu was the aunt of the former mayor, Mitch Landrieu, and U.S. Senator, Mary Landrieu. She is well-known as an advocate for children rights, mental health in K-12 education, and living life vivaciously.