Mary Phyllis Bosch

Mary Phyllis “Mimi” Witte Bosch passed from this world on November 24, 2021 at the age of 64. Mary Phyllis was born in Chattanooga, TN on June 20, 1957, to the late Edward George Witte and Clementine Hellman Witte. Her passing was unexpected and has been a shock to her family and friends. Mary Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband Jack, son Phillip and daughter-in-law Shirley, and granddaughters Alannah, Abigail and Cecilia – all of whom she loved dearly.

Mary Phyllis attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, and St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, where she earned a BA in Art. After graduation, she moved to New Orleans and married Jack, her husband of 42 years. Mary Phyllis and family made their home in Metairie and Lakeview for 25 years, until being displaced by Hurricane Katrina, whereupon they returned to Chattanooga, where she and her husband were welcomed with open arms by friends, both new and old. As the lure of New Orleans and the arrival of grandchildren proved too strong, they returned to her adopted hometown, taking on the challenge of restoring an historical home in the Bayou St. John neighborhood.

Mary Phyllis was a self-described “Crazy Dog Lady”. She was an SPCA volunteer and supporter of numerous dog rescue groups, in addition to directly rescuing and giving a home to over 40 dogs during the past 30 years. When sensing skepticism about her devotion to the animal rescue cause, she was known to respond with “tell me it’s just a dog, and I’ll tell you you’re just an idiot”. She was greeted at the Rainbow Bridge by her dogs Smokey, Elliott, Rufus, Mugsey, Mike, Charlie, Pupster, Java, Buddy, Sunny, Freida, Sassy, Teddy, Nola, Lucky, Sam, Hank, Dolly, Boomer, Bacchus, Jeremy, Stumpy, Maximus, Little Max, Missy, Bear, Tugboat, Coco, Sandy, Holly, Percy and Petey as well as her cats Rosabelle, Tinkerbelle, Matthew, Nancybelle, Pumba, Kenny and Cosmo. She will be missed by her dogs Roxie, Barqsie, Beau, Amber, Buddy #2, Zoey, Maddie, Augustus, Grace and Pop-Tart.

Mary Phyllis was a devout Catholic, and with sixteen years of Catholic education, was very confident in her faith. She was also a lifelong liberal and proud Democrat. She very much liked to share her views on religion, politics and virtually any other subject via the numerous bumper stickers on her ancient Suburban or on her extensive collection of T-shirts. There was no question where she stood on any issue of the day.

But most of all, Mary Phyllis loved everything about New Orleans. She loved Mardi Gras – from parades to the Mask Market to the Bourbon Street Awards. She was also a Jazz Fest devotee, especially after moving to Bayou St. John, and enjoyed watching the throngs of Fest-goers parading past her home at the end of each day – often inviting strangers to join her on her porch for a final cold drink of the day. She loved the architecture throughout the City, the food, morning walks through the Quarter or watching the Saints on a Sunday afternoon. But mostly she loved the people. She thoroughly enjoyed having out-of-town guests to her home – mostly so she could regale them with stories of the city, why it is the most wonderful place in the world, and why they would be best served to move here and enjoy the city themselves. New Orleans was where she fit in, where she was accepted as she was. While not a native, she was truly a New Orleanian at heart.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 3rd at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 3368 Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans. Visitation will begin at 10:00, followed by Mass at Noon. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to make donations to the Louisiana SPCA.

The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com