Thomas Alden Mayo

Thomas Alden Mayo “Tom” passed away peacefully at his home on December 28, 2019 of natural causes. Tom was 65 years old and the third son of Eugene Frances Mayo, of New Orleans, and Dorothy Alden Nash Mayo, originally from Boston, Mass. Tom is survived by his brother, Stephen Mayo, of Mill Valley, California and Steve’s wife, Sharon and former wife, Kathy, and six children: Stuart Wallace and her husband Doug, Jeff and his wife Natalie, John, Alexander, Elizabeth, and Madeleine, all of California. Tom is also survived by Phyllis Love Mayo, the widow of his deceased brother Richard Mayo, and their two sons, Jake and his wife Emily, and Erik, all of Baton Rouge.

Tom was a life-long New Orleanian. The city, its people and its beauty inspired him. Many of the most beautiful gardens in the New Orleans Garden District were designed, built, and lovingly tended by Tom for over four decades. Tom’s closest friends shared his passion for gardening and landscaping, and he served as a mentor to a number of young landscapers and budding garden enthusiasts.

Tom was a passionate cook, influenced by the south Louisiana, Cajun French, German, and New England cuisines he learned from his mother and grandmother. Tom generously cooked nearly every weekend for gatherings of friends, and sometimes commercially for events. Tom even brought his cooking talents to California, preparing a rehearsal dinner of traditional Louisiana file gumbo and barbequed shrimp for the wedding of one of his California nephews. Tom’s exquisite cooking, like his gardening, was richly layered, yet seemingly effortless.

Tom practiced Tibetan Buddhism for nearly three decades. He strongly believed in a meaningful, compassionate and selfless life, which came naturally to him. Tom’s spirituality was expressed in his gardening and his kindnesses to the people and sentient beings of New Orleans and beyond. He was always optimistic and addressed any kind of negativity with limitless patience and logic. Tom spoke out against injustice and oppression no matter where it occurred in the world. He did everything within his means to help those around him, who were suffering or down on their luck.

Tom was particularly close to our mother, living with her for nearly 35 years and caring for her when declining health overwhelmed her. Tom engaged with his large, diverse group of friends, who were drawn in by Tom’s easy laugh, generosity, warmth, calm and patience. He will be sorely missed and always remembered.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, February 1, 2020 in Tom’s favorite sanctuary: his home garden in Metairie. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made in his name to the Audubon Conservancy in New Orleans.

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