Elizabeth Mcgahren

Elizabeth Jean Coleman McGahren, age 88, passed away May 17, 2022, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was born on January 12, 1934, in Bismarck, North Dakota.

She was a graduate of Mount Carmel High School and the Hotel Dieu School of Nursing. She practiced as an R.N. for over 40 years at several hospitals, health units and nursing homes in New Orleans and Monroe, Louisiana. Elizabeth was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sibling and friend who always lived her Catholic values by tending to the needs of others before her own. She was an accomplished cook and loved to work in her garden. Elizabeth was first married to Warren O. Coleman, M.D., from November 1, 1955, until his death on February 25, 1997.

Four children were born of this marriage – Pamela Silcox married to Robert Silcox, Mark Coleman married to Monic Coleman, Michael Coleman married to Allison Coleman, and Susan Sarris married to Kary Phillips. Elizabeth was married to George Joseph McGahren from April 2, 2005, until her death. Elizabeth is survived by her 4 children; 4 stepchildren (David McGahren married to Shannon McGahren, Joseph McGahren, Suzanne Morrison married to Rick Morrison and Mollianne Murray); 14 grandchildren (Brian Gebbs, Christina Brock, Kevin Brock, David Coleman, Abigail Brock, Andrew Coleman married to Ashley Coleman, Samuel Douglas, Sarah LeBlanc married to Joseph LeBlanc, Lydia Coleman, Rachel Patino married to Edgar Patino, Maria Coleman, Adam Sarris, Noah Sarris and Thomas Coleman), 5 step grandchildren (Nicholas McGahren, Charlie McGahren, Maggie McGahren, Julia Murray and Ethan Murray) and 4 great-grandchildren (Jaedyn Jones, Avery Jones, Peyton Darling, Savannah Darling, Bradley Douglas and Anthony Coleman).

She is preceded in death by her parents John and Blanche Fortenberry and her 8 siblings (John Fortenberry, Mary Drozd, Fr. Jerome Fortenberry, Virginia Fortenberry, Dr. Robert Fortenberry, Dorothy Smoloski, Jacqueline Fortenberry and Louis Fortenberry and step-grandson Sam McGahren. Elizabeth's grandsons will serve as her pallbearers.

The family of Elizabeth wish to extend their thanks to the staff of Clarity Hospice and her sitters Tara Washington and Tondra Banks for their devoted care during her final illness.

Visiting hours will take place at St. Phillip Neri Catholic Church (6500 Kawanee Avenue, Metairie, LA) from 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. followed by funeral mass on Friday, June 3, 2022. Reception to follow mass. Graveside service and burial will take place at Long Beach Cemetery in Long Beach, Mississippi, on Saturday, June 4, 2022.