Emma H. Gajan Marchand

After 91 full, beautiful years, Emma Jean H. Gajan Marchand peacefully breathed her last on this earth to join our Savior in heaven on April 16, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born on September 30, 1934, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she was a lifelong and involved resident of the community she loved more than words can express. A devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, she was the heart and foundation of her immense family, an extraordinary matriarch whose love knew no bounds.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Edith Hanegan; her siblings, Billy Hanegan, Douglas Hanegan and Maureen Achee; her husbands, Bobby Gajan and Norris Marchand; her son, Hokie Gajan; her grandson, Daniel Bradley; her granddaughter, Dayna Mejia; and her son-in-law Denny Anderson Sr.

She is survived by 8 of her 9 children: Patti Anderson; Chipper (Brenda) Gajan; Wendy (Dan) Bradley; Elaine (Fred) McManus; Andy (Debbi Treuil) Gajan; Robert (Gwen) Gajan; Dawn Gajan; Alton (Cheryl) Gajan; and daughter-in-law, Judy Moak Gajan. She is also survived by 26 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. She raised athletes, health care professionals, accountants, business owners, chefs, church leaders and so much more. Her legacy lives on through each of them, carrying forward the values, strength and love she instilled in every generation.

A lifelong member of St. Isidore and a devout Catholic, her faith was the cornerstone of her life. She lived her beliefs daily-through kindness, compassion and unwavering devotion to her family and community.

There was hardly a social event Emma Jean missed in her impressive nine-plus decades. When she was not creating beautiful traditions with her friends and family, she was at church, praying for those in her circle, enjoying Cajun cuisine, fishing or watching the game. A graduate of St. Joseph's Academy, she went on to marry the love of her life Bobby Lee and started her lifelong and very successful dream of being a mother. She loved sports and played softball until her 70s, even participating in the Senior Olympics.

Always dressing the part and loving everything pink, she spent her life nurturing others, always putting family first and cherishing every moment spent together. Whether gathered around the table, celebrating milestones or simply enjoying each other's company, she created a lifetime of beautiful memories that will be treasured forever.

Because Emma Jean raised a family of avid sports fans and outdoorsmen, she was passionate about LSU sports and New Orleans Saints football, rarely missing a game, knowing any stat and always cheering proudly for her teams.

She lived the kind of life we all hope and pray for-one filled with love, laughter, faith and the joy of life's simplest, most meaningful moments. She will be deeply missed, forever loved and never forgotten.

"Her children arise and call her blessed. Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." -Proverbs 31:28a-29

Please join us at St. Isidore Church, 5657 Thomas Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70811 on Wednesday, April 22 for visitation from 9-11:00 a.m. and mass at 11 a.m. to celebrate the beautiful life of Emma Jean H. Gajan Marchand. Consider wearing pink-her favorite color-to the celebration.