Margaret Mary Gibbes 'Sunny' Schiro Is Dead
Times Picayune 11-17-1996

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Margaret Mary Gibbes "Sunny" Schiro, the widow of former New Orleans Mayor
Victor Schiro, died Saturday at East Jefferson General Hospital.

She was 87.

Mrs. Schiro was born in Ashville, N.C., and lived in New Orleans for many
years. She got her nickname in high school because of her bright red hair. But
for many who knew her, the name also matched her disposition.

"No one deserved the nickname 'Sunny' more than her," said Jack McGuire, a
longtime family friend.

To many, she was the perfect complement to the always optimistic Victor
Schiro, remembered by many New Orleanians for the simple phrase that summed up
his philosophy: "If it's good for New Orleans, I'm for it."

The mayor and his wife were fixtures in New Orleans social circles during his
time in public life. He was elected to the old Commission Council in 1950,
stayed on when that body became the City Council, and became mayor in 1961.
Mrs. Schiro was often seen at her husband's side.

"Sunny devoted her life to Vic's career," McGuire said.

McGuire recalled how when the mayor had an emergency appendectomy two weeks
before the 1965 election, Mrs. Schiro finished out the rest of his campaign
schedule, making speeches and appearances for him.

"He joked after that that she did a better job than he did, and maybe it was
fortunate he had to be hospitalized," McGuire said.

In a 1991 interview, Mrs. Schiro recalled their days in public life and
described how she and her husband were still hearing from dignitaries she had
met during his term of office.

"We did our entertaining at our home because the budget was so small you
couldn't take important visitors to expensive restaurants," she said. Even
years later, she said, she would get letters from people saying things such
as, "Oh, how I remember that barbecue!"

Mrs. Schiro said she was proud of her support for women's issues while her
husband was in office.

"I let women know they can take an interest in good government," she said.

Victor Schiro left the mayor's office in 1970, prevented by the city charter
from running again.

When the ex-mayor was debilitated by a stroke in 1988, Mrs. Schiro took over
his insurance business. In 1992, after the death of her husband of 60 years,
she worked on disposing of the firm.

"These days, I keep the house clean and I'm handling the sale of the
business," she said in a 1992 interview. "I have a whole new life now, and I'm
sure that in 1993 I'll have things balanced much better. These last six months
have been very hard. I still cry at the mention of his name.

"Next year, I'll be fine," she said.

Mr. and Mrs. Schiro had no children.

Mrs. Schiro graduated from Hood College in Baltimore. She was a member of the
Daughters of the American Revolution, the Society of Colonial Dames, the Lake
Vista Garden Club and the Lighthouse For The Blind.

Funeral services will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral
Home. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m.

Burial will be in Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum.