[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 201 (Wednesday, December 6, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF MRS. MAUREEN ROSARY O'DONNELL SCHEUERMANN

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                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2023

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate an 
outstanding New Orleans Matriarch, Mrs. Maureen Rosary O'Donnell 
Scheuermann. Born in New Orleans on October 7, 1933, to the late 
Francis and Eunice Ohlmeyer O'Donnell, Mrs. Maureen is often referred 
to as a mastermind of all things in New Orleans.
  Maureen was a devout and faithful Catholic and lifelong parishioner 
of St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, located in Uptown, New 
Orleans. At the time of her death, Maureen was the parish's longest-
tenured parishioner. Mrs. Scheuennann passed away peacefully at Touro 
Infirmary on Friday, October 6, 2023, the eve of her 90th birthday. 
Born on the Feast of the Holy Rosary, she celebrated the Feast of St. 
Francis only two days before gracefully transitioning.
  Maureen began her career as a secretary at Loyola University where 
she met the love of her life, ``Rags'' Scheuermann, the University's 
Baseball coach at the time. A charming prelude to their story unfolded 
as she gifted him a four-leaf clover before a baseball game. The pair 
later married on June 20, 1959. In 1974, Rags co-founded the Delgado 
Community College athletic department where Maureen became the 
Dolphins' first fan. In the following 50 years, she would serve as a 
devoted mother and grandmother to three generations of Dolphins, as 
well as a leader in Rags' New Orleans Boosters Summer Baseball League.
  Maureen's dedication to the team resulted in decades of trips to the 
All-American Amateur Baseball Association (AAABA) National Tournament 
in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where she was named an honorary citizen. 
Her baseball bonds created lifelong memories and cherished friendships. 
Maureen's constant supporting presence at Kirsch-Rooney Stadium earned 
her the nickname ``the First Lady of New Orleans Baseball.'' Maureen 
and Rags used the game of baseball to bestow indispensable values upon 
three generations of Scheuermanns.
  Maureen worked as an employee of the City of New Orleans for more 
than thirty years where she held several titles at City Hall until her 
retirement in 1991. Most notably, Mrs. Scheuermann served as secretary 
to four Mayors: Victor H. Schiro, Maurice ``Moon'' Landrieu, Ernest N. 
``Dutch'' Morial, and Sidney J. Barthelemy.
  Maureen was the loving mother of Maureen, Emma, Joe (Shelly), and Ed 
(Stephanie) and devoted grandmother of Tyler, Nataly, Parker, and 
Peyton. She is also survived by her brother, Francis O'Donnell, Jr., 
nieces Kathy Barbazon (Clem) and Karen Meyer (Gordon), and grandnephew 
Brett Barbazon. Maureen was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 
38 years, Louis ``Rags'' Scheuermann, who passed away in 1997, as well 
as her loving mother, her sister, Claire O'Donnell, her brother John 
O'Donnell, and her grandniece, Katherine Hickham.
  Maureen was eternally grateful to Velma Smith, Glenda Ingram, and 
Wendy Cordova for their dedicated caregiving over the past nine years, 
as well as the physicians and staff of Touro Infirmary.
  Maureen will be remembered as a light to all who knew her throughout 
the many seasons of her. Her motherly ``MawMaw'' wisdom, faith, hope, 
and joy touched the lives of everyone who met her. Her Funeral Mass was 
celebrated by New Orleans Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond, retired 
Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes, and nine other priests, on Friday, October 
13, 2023, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, in New Orleans.
  On a personal note, Maureen was everyone's mother, grandmother, and 
best friend. When I arrived at New Orleans City Hall as a very young 
man, working for then, Dr. Alfred ``Al'' Stokes, Executive Assistant to 
then Mayor, Honorable Sidney J. Barthelemy, I found the most loving, 
caring, walking encyclopedia of everything New Orleans.
  The Greater New Orleans Community has suffered the loss of an 
incredible gem. I am proud to say I was able to connect with her 
throughout my entire political career, respecting the guidance and 
support she gave. I am forever grateful for her friendship, love and 
guidance, and will forever carry her direction as I serve the 
Constituents of LA-02. May she forever rest in peace.

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