Laurel Ann Frens Clement

Laurel (Laurie) Ann Frens Clement passed away peacefully in her second home in League City, Texas, on September 14, 2024. A Celebration of Life will be held in the Motherhouse chapel at Mount Carmel Academy, 420 Allen Toussaint Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana, on Saturday, October 19 at 1:00 pm.

Laurie was born on March 3, 1953, in Muskegon, Michigan, to Raymond Oliver and Marilyn Ruth Frens. She spent her youth with her sister, Cynthia Ruth Ferson, in Muskegon, Michigan, and Miami, Florida, before moving to New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1973 with her parents, Raymond Oliver and Marilyn Ruth Frens, and her sister, Cindy.

Laurie attended the University of New Orleans and graduated with a degree in psychology in 1975. This is where she met her husband, Christopher (Chris) Vance Clement, in 1975. Chris introduced her to his passion for repairing old boats. In November of 1975, Chris needed assistance repairing the propeller shaft of a 1949 vintage Chris Craft. The shaft had to be installed with the boat in the water. Laurie donned an oversized set of waterproof chest waders and climbed into the water to assist with the repair while Chris worked inside the boat. Laurie mentioned the water was getting colder. Once the repair was complete, Chris helped Laurie walk up the boat ramp. Water poured out of multiple tiny holes in the “waterproof” waders. Laurie was not pleased but still agreed to marry Chris in May of 1976.

Chris and Laurie settled in Metairie, LA, where they welcomed 2 daughters, Corrie and Jennifer (Jennie). Laurie spent countless hours volunteering and supporting Corrie and Jennie in their schools and extracurricular activities. She was well known for her delicious pizza sold at the Saint Catherine of Siena school fair pizza booth and made countless dance recital costumes for her girls. Laurie could often be found designing and making beaded jewelry and was an avid supporter of The Bead Shop on Magazine Street in New Orleans. She had a deep love for college basketball and attended UNO basketball games for nearly 50 years.

More recently, Chris and Laurie split their time between their home in New Orleans and their home in League City, Texas, where they could be closer to their grandchildren. Lady, as her grandchildren called her, rarely said no and was always willing to do a craft or bake with the grandchildren, no matter how messy.

Laurie and Chris loved spending time on boats and on the water. Her favorite boat was the 1973 Gulfstar 41 named Nike. She would spend entire weekends on Nike while Chris and the CVST (Captain Vague Sailing Team) raced the Jeanneau Selection 37 BLADERUNNER. The two boats were moored next to one another near the Southern Yacht Club in New Orleans. There were many post-race celebrations on Nike, and Laurie enjoyed entertaining anyone who chose to come aboard, particularly after a win.

Laurie is preceded in death by her mother, Marilyn Ruth Frens, and father, Raymond Oliver Frens. She is survived by her sister Cynthia Ruth Frens Ferson (David), her husband, Christopher Vance Clement; two daughters, Corrie Christine Clement Lambert (Casey) and Jennifer Adriana Clement Moe (Timothy); and five grandchildren, Avery, Logan, Caroline, James, and Colin.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mount Carmel Legacy (see link below).