Mary Agnes Sewell (93) passed away peacefully at her home in Monroe, Louisiana on March 1, 2026. She was welcomed by many friends and family eagerly awaiting her arrival in heaven alongside our Lord and Savior.

Maggie was born on September 9, 1932, in Monroe to Dr. Frank Rizzo Sr. and Gussie Zagone Rizzo. She grew up with two siblings, Joanne and Buddy. In January 1964, she married the love of her life, Ralph Lee Sewell. They shared 61 wonderful years together until Ralph’s passing in August 2025. Maggie worked for twenty years in healthcare administration at her father’s medical practice.

Small in stature but mighty in spirit, Mary Agnes stood an impressive 4’11 and could often be heard across Monroe as she lovingly wrangled and raised her five children — Alfred, Marilyn, Patrick, Chris, and Susan Gallagher.

Outside of family and friends, Maggie’s greatest joys included road trips, puzzles, birds, and laughter. She especially loved cross-country trips with Ralph Lee, her children, and later her grandchildren.

With a sharp mind and quick wit, she enjoyed puzzles and games of all kinds — especially Bejeweled, Mahjong, Scrabble, and the occasional crossword.

Over the years she proudly became an ornithophile.

or·ni·tho·phile /ˈȯr-nə-thə-ˌfīl/ noun: a person who has a strong affection for birds: one who greatly appreciates birds Example: An avid ornithophile, Maggie spent many spring afternoons watching cardinals, blue jays, and mockingbirds in her backyard.

Her love of birds meant she could often recognize them simply by their songs. Many afternoons were spent tending to her backyard sanctuary — keeping the birdbath clean, hummingbird feeders full, and birdseed dispensers safely out of reach from squirrely troublemakers.

Throughout Maggie’s life, laughter was a constant theme. Her humor was dry, quick, and perfectly timed, and she always found a way to slip a joke into any conversation.

Maggie will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Mary Agnes was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Lee Sewell (1936–2025); four of her five children — Alfred David Gallagher Jr. (1953–2025), Marilyn Ann Lovett (1954–2023), Christopher Paul Gallagher Sr. (1957–2021), and Susan Gail Gallagher (1958–2021); her parents, Gussie Zagone Rizzo and Frank Rizzo Sr., MD; and her siblings, Joanne Rizzo Smith (1934-2024) and Dr. Frank Paul Rizzo Jr. (1936-2023).

She is survived by her son, Dr. Patrick Timothy Gallagher Sr. (wife Shannon Gallagher); her grandchildren, Christopher Paul Gallagher Jr., Sarah Elizabeth Deel (husband Brian Deel), Stoddard Lee Schleuter, Matthew Alexander Gallagher, and Patrick Timothy Gallagher Jr.; her great-grandchildren, Katlyn Michelle Gallagher, Duke Weston Deel, and Mclaine Birdie Deel; her sons- and daughters-in-law, Woody Lovett, Vikki Denise Southern, Monya Ann Futch, Donna Elizabeth Sebren, and Ron Schleuter; her nieces and nephews, Becky Moore, Lauree White (husband Jim White), Lisa Campbell (husband Wilson Campbell), Chris Rizzo (wife Kristy Rizzo), Kevin Thomason (wife Lisa Thomason), Vicki Smith, Kevin Smith, Karen Bergh, David Smith, and James Harold Sewell Jr. (wife Jenene Sewell); along with many grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, and dear friends.

The family invites you to join them in celebrating Maggie’s life and legacy at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, March 20, 2026 at Jesus the Good Shepherd Church in Monroe, LA.