Moon Landrieu

Moon Landrieu, the former Mayor of the City of New Orleans, died peacefully in his home on September 5th, 2022 at the age of 92. The love of his life, his wife, Verna, was at his side, as she had been every day of their 68-year marriage. They were surrounded by their children and grandchildren as he entered eternal rest.

Moon was born Maurice Edwin Landrieu on July 23, 1930, to his loving parents, Joseph and Loretta Bechtel Landrieu. Moon’s father worked for NOPSI and, as Moon liked to quip, “he was in charge of turning the lights of the city on each day.” His mother, who ran a small grocery store out of his childhood home and later became one of the first female real estate brokers in New Orleans, instilled in Moon a strong work ethic. He had one older brother, Joseph Landrieu, Jr. with whom he remained close until Joe’s passing in 2016. Although his family did not have much when he was young, Moon often said he was “never wanting and had a wonderful childhood.”

Moon attended Jesuit High School in New Orleans where he excelled academically and on the baseball diamond as a pitcher. He was a proud member of Jesuit’s 1946 American Legion World Series Championship team. He went on to attend Loyola University on a baseball scholarship earning a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in 1952 and his law degree in 1954. It was during his undergraduate days at Loyola that Moon met Verna Satterlee who would become not only his wife, but his very best friend. It was also at Loyola where Moon was inspired by the social justice teachings of the Jesuits, particularly Fr. Louis Twomey and Fr. Joseph Fichter, who exposed him to the cruelty and indignity of segregation. Upon earning his undergraduate degree in fewer than four years, Moon intended to become a CPA, but his Loyola baseball coach reminded him that he owed the team another season of baseball to fulfill his scholarship commitment. So, Moon enrolled in law school to remain eligible to play. He would often say: “Next to marrying Verna, that was the best decision of my life.”

It was at Loyola Law School that Moon met and became dear friends with Norman Francis, the first African American to be admitted to Loyola’s law school; Pascal Calogero, the son of a police officer from the 7th ward who would later become the Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court; Blake Arata, who would later serve as New Orleans’ City Attorney; and so many other friends with whom he and Verna shared their lives.

Upon his graduation from law school, Moon and Verna married and moved to Washington, D.C. where Moon was stationed at the Pentagon and assigned to the United States Army Judge Advocate General's Corps. He then returned home to the Broadmoor area of New Orleans to start his law practice and raise his growing family. It was then that made the decision to seek public office. With the encouragement and support of then Assessor, George Degan, Moon won a seat in the Louisiana State Legislature where he stood, virtually alone, against the onslaught of Jim Crow legislation. Despite fierce criticism for his courageous stance, Moon went on to serve as Council Member at Large where he continued his work for racial justice. In 1970, Moon was elected the 56th mayor of the City of New Orleans by an historic biracial coalition that altered the course of the City’s future. As a firm believer in honesty, integrity, and respect for all people, Moon ran on the slogan “Can a man who tells the truth win?"

In two terms as mayor, Moon welcomed Black New Orleanians into positions of leadership in city government and transformed the economy by investing in hospitality and tourism. In addition to major investments in Jackson Square and the historic French Quarter, Moon also oversaw the development of the Louisiana Superdome with Governor John McKeithen, the creation of the Poydras Street corridor, the opening of the city to the Mississippi River, and the creation of the Downtown Development District. He also served as President of the United States Conference of Mayors and was instrumental in saving the City of New York from a catastrophic financial default and bankruptcy in 1975.

After his tenure as mayor, Moon was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to serve in the Cabinet of the United States as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, serving from 1979 to 1981. He then returned home to practice law and commercial real estate, and in 1990 was elected to serve as a judge on the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal. Moon retired from public life in the year 2000, after 30 years of service.

Much has been and will be written about Moon’s public life and his many contributions, but when recently asked which of his accomplishments he was most proud of, he said without hesitation, “My wife and my nine children… I’m a very grateful man.”

To many, Moon was known as Mr. Mayor, Mr. Secretary, or Judge. To his family, he was affectionately known as dad, Uncle Moon, and Pawpaw. He was quite famous for his knowledge of Disney trivia, for the many Olympic medals he won, ranging from pancake flipping to baton twirling, from crepe making to ice cream scooping. He was an avid tennis player, a game through which he taught his children and grandchildren the values of how to show up on time, work with a partner, call the lines fairly without the need for a referee, and shake hands at the end, win or lose. He loved nothing more than to be surrounded by his family, sharing in the little joys of life, reminding us to be grateful for the gift of family, and inspiring us to use whatever talents we might have in service to others. One of his favorite spots was his family camp on Lake Pontchartrain, a tiny slice of heaven on earth where family could gather and where sunsets, with Verna at his side, were never to be missed.

Moon was predeceased by his father and mother, Joseph and Loretta Bechtel Landrieu; by his brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Phyllis Coldewy Landrieu, by his grandson, Lawrence “Baby L.J.” Seiter, II, and his great grandson, baby Judah Elias Cook.

In addition to being survived by his wife, Verna, Moon is survived by his nine children and their spouses: Mary Landrieu (Frank Snellings), Mark Landrieu (Sara), Melanie Landrieu Cook (Brad), Michelle “Shelley” Landrieu (David Spielman), Mitch Landrieu (Cheryl), Madeleine Landrieu (Paige Sensenbrenner), Martin Landrieu (Laurie), Melinda Landrieu Seiter (Larry) and Maurice Landrieu (Keri); by his 37 grandchildren: Connor and Mary Shannon Snellings: Jacques and Tyler Landrieu: Ashley Barkley Grossman (Lou), Jennifer Barkley Youngberg (Matt) and Victoria Barkley; Bradley (Katie), Patrick (Jessica) Christopher (Allison) Kelsey, Lauren, Daniel and Ryan Cook; Sasha Landrieu; Grace, Emily, Matthew, Benjamin (Skylar Trahan) and Will Landrieu; Erica Sensenbrenner Bergeron (Nick), Hannah, Alexandra, and Olivia Sensenbrenner; Holly Landrieu Starlight (Alex) Sadie Landrieu Fury (Nate), Jacob and Laurie Claire Landrieu; Samantha Seiter Greene (Wade), Lindsey Seiter Dawson (Brian), Mary Frances, Charlie and Joe Seiter; and, Kristen and Ashley Landrieu, Katie Landrieu Gaiennie (Joe), and Adam Landrieu; and, by his 15 precious great grandchildren, Maddox Snellings; Gene and Hugh Grossman; Sean Patrick, McKayla, McKenzie, and Hunter Cook; Abigail, Caroline, and Emma Cook, Bexlee Landrieu, Edward and Eric Starlight, Wesley Fury, and Jane Dawson.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, September 10 at 1:00 PM at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church on Loyola University's campus in New Orleans, with Archbishop Gregory Aymond officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM at the church. The Mass will be livestreamed on the Holy Name of Jesus YouTube channel for those who are unable to attend. A private burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Loyola University College of Law Moon Landrieu Memorial Fund.

To view and sign the online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com