Nathalie Marie Cambre Kreller, age 91, died very peacefully in her Westwego home, surrounded by loved ones, on June 18 (as expected...not during football season). Preceded in death by her husband of 27 years James Harvey Kreller, she is survived by her 5 children: Dr. Wendy K. Taylor (Roy), Mike J. Kreller (Jayme), Russ S. Kreller (Stacey), Brennan P. Kreller (the late Jose G. Lopez), and Jemmy Jaye J. Kreller (Cat Moleski). While she often found these 5 children likable, she was an utterly doting, devoted grandmother of 9 and great-grandmother of 11. Visits from them became occasions for great feasting on her extraordinary cooking, and recollecting about their latest achievements--academic, artistic, professional, or athletic. As her capacity to cook waned, Mothers' Day and her birthday became the most anticipated family feast days, and she truly relished all the great big family events.
Nathalie was the daughter of the late Ralph E. Cambre of Edgard and the late Elma Faucheux of Vacherie; and the sister of the late Shirley Gagneaux, the late Ralph J. Cambre, the late Lois Chaisson, the late Clara Savoie, and Kathleen Wiseman, who with her friends knew her as "Nonny". She was also the much-beloved Godmother of Kimmie Remmers, Harold Gagneaux, Jr., Dr. Matthew Barrios, and Jamey Perque.
A life-long parishioner of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, frequent room-mother, erstwhile girls' volleyball, basketball, and (district champs) indoor ball coach, she will be interred there as she wished, the very place of her wedding, primary education (as well as all her children's), and her baptism.
Her most treasured travel memories were those of the great Christian pilgrimage sites of France, Spain, and Italy with her children. She prayed at the resting places of Sts. Peter and Paul, Bernadette, James the Apostle, and Vincent de Paul, and marveled at the grandeur of Holy Week in Spain and the quiet joy of Easter in Lourdes. She tossed a coin in the Trevi Fountain and dined at the Moulin Rouge, but she liked being home in the end with visits from the grandchildren best of all...and if the Saints won a game on TV that day, well that was almost heaven.
The family would like to extend their most heartfelt thanks to Ms. Christine Aaron, Ms. Carolyn Montz, and the Compassus Hospice staff for their extraordinary, attentive care during those final months.
Visitation will take place at 10 am Friday, June 25, at Mothe Funeral Home, 7040 Lapalco Blvd, Marrero. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, 146 4th St, Westwego, at 12:30 pm, immediately followed by interment at OLPS parish cemetery/Gate of Heaven Mausoleum.
Nathalie loved flowers, and herself often donated to veterans' health, cancer and cardiac research causes. Memorials to any of these or your charity of choice are welcome.
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