Mary Lynn Watkins passed away in New Orleans, LA, on December 4, 2014, the eve of her 57th birthday, after a long and courageous battle with lupus. Lynn is survived by her parents, Marylin and Eben T. "Buddy" Watkins III; twin sister Lois Smitherman and her husband John; nephew Eben Smitherman and niece Marylynn Smitherman. She graduated from St. Martin's Episcopal School and attended LSU before earning her undergraduate degree from Mt. Vernon College for Women in Washington, D.C. Lynn lived in New London, CT; Saratoga Springs, NY; Charleston, SC; Boston, MA; Baltimore, MD and Dallas, TX before returning to her beloved New Orleans in 1992. She was passionate about all things Mardi Gras, devoting her professional career to training Carnival monarchs and courts in the nuances of royal protocol and preserving historic traditions. Lynn had a gift for making new friends of all ages and backgrounds and delighted in introducing them to her circle of family and old friends. She always had room in her heart and at her table for one more. She was a member of the Orleans Club, New Orleans Country Club, Chi Omega Fraternity, and a sustaining member of the Junior League. She was founding member of Ladies In Red, a festive group of friends who celebrate together each year at the Rex luncheon. Family and friends are invited to a memorial service at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 6, in the chapel at Lake Lawn Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Legacy Donor Foundation (www.organawareness.org), the Rex Organization's Pro Bono Publico Foundation (www.probonopublicofoundation.org) or Camp Sweeney for children with diabetes (www.campsweeney.org).
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