Audrey Mae Ward Fernandez

Audrey Mae Ward Fernandez passed away on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at the age of 85. She was born and raised in the Irish Channel in New Orleans, LA. Beloved wife of the late Leonard Joseph Fernandez, Sr. Mother of Paul Joseph Fernandez Sr., Michael Joseph Fernandez and the late Leonard J. Fernandez, Jr. and Susan Fernandez Taylor (H. Charles Welsted). Daughter of the late Barbara Whalen Ward and George Ward. Sister of the late Helen Ward Orgeron (Gerald Sr.). Step-sister of Angie Imbraguglio, Barbara Terrell, Bernice Morrissey and the late Joyce Ferger, Mildred Hand and Rose Conravey. Godmother of Gerald Orgeron, Jr. (Donna). Grandmother of Barbara Taylor Fernandez (Robert Jr.), Christopher P. Taylor (Mayra Cardona), Sean M. Taylor (Michelle Lirette), Susie Taylor Vieregge (Glenn), Kelly Taylor Brown (Tyler), Stephen Sapia (Renee), Paul Fernandez Jr. (Shanelle Dufrene), Jeffrey Fernandez and Hillary C. Welsted, III (Wendy Goebel). Great grandmother of Aubrey McDonald Jr., Audrey Mae McDonald, Robert B. Fernandez III, Taylor Federer, Zachary Fernandez, Mia Cornell, Olivia Vieregge, Glenn Vieregge, Isabella Federer, Skylor Sapia, Karelly Morales, Rileigh Sue Welsted, Remmington Taylor, Mia Fernandez, Konnor Welsted, Steven Fernandez and Leonard Welsted. Great-great grandmother of Gariel Byrd and Noah McDonald. Audrey was a member of the Knights of Columbus Auxillary #3411, the NOPD Ladies Auxillary, a Redemptorist Allumnae. She was the life of the party, best dancer in the room, avid swimmer and athletic achiever. Her students loved her, her friends adored her, and her co-workers became her extended family. She always saw the best in everyone. She volunteered her time to the playground, coaching multiple City Championship teams for both Eleonore Playground and St. Francis of Assisi School and CYO. She was also awarded so many "Volunteer of the Year" and "Woman of the Year" awards that we ran out of space on the walls and mantels. Most of all, she was a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother. She valued her family and took care of us all even until the end. She also loved her parish. St. Francis of Assisi Parish and her deep rooted catholic faith was everything to her, and she didn't miss a beat, reading at mass right up until a few months before she passed. Audrey loved her casino buffet's and penny slots, but never until she went to mass. "If you're not well enough to go to mass, then you're not well enough to go the casino!". She lived on Magazine Street for 65 years and worked at St. Francis for 47 years, she is a pillar of that neighborhood and it will never be the same without her. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 631 State St., New Orleans on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. Visitation at the church from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Arrangements by L. A. Muhleisen & Son Funeral Home.

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Audrey Mae Ward Fernandez

January 28, 1932 - March 25, 2017