Mary Alice Williams Chamberland

Mary Alice Williams Chamberland, 75, passed away peacefully in New Orleans on May 21, 2026, after a long journey with multiple illnesses. She was born on November 21, 1950, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, before moving to New Orleans as a child.

Always present for the people she loved, she could be found at ballgames, dance recitals, and more - always cheering from the sidelines! She enjoyed crafting, seasonal decorating, and dressing for every holiday with her own unmistakable style, especially on New Orleans Saints game days, when festive attire was non-negotiable! She found joy in cooking for others and giving generously, often with gifts that were “over the top and always in excess.” She lived for coffee, chicken salad, and sushi.

Mary grew up in the Irish Channel and graduated from Annunciation High School, Class of 1969. Her professional life reflected her compassion and versatility. She worked as a Respiratory Therapist at West Jefferson Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, New York. After returning to New Orleans, she became a Real Estate Agent with Properties Preferred and held several positions with Delta Queen Steamboat Company.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Melisa Clark Rey and husband Thomas, and Tammy Williams Rhodes and husband Jeremy. She was a proud grandmother to Jeanne-Marie and Gabrielle Rey, and Olivia, Austin, and Madison Rhodes.

She is also survived by Robert Chamberland Jr., Lisa Dioguardi, and Sherry Horibin, and their children and grandchildren, and considered them part of her family. Mary leaves behind her beloved sister, Lynda Williams Ayers and husband John; nephews Adam (Nicole) Ayers and Scott (Emily) Ayers. She was the proud “Granny Nanny” to their son Emmett. She is also survived by nieces Layne Williams (Charlene) and Kim Williams Bayer.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, James Prentiss Williams and Jeanne Charbonnet Williams; her brother, James Leslie Williams and his wife Lynn; her former spouse, Robert Chamberland Sr.; her daughter, Stacy Chamberland; and her grandson, Kyle Chamberland.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Audubon Retirement Village and medical professionals who cared for Mary with kindness and compassion throughout her illness.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation beginning at 11:00 am on Thursday, June 11 at Leitz Eagan, 4747 Veterans Blvd, Metairie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 pm at the Leitz Eagan Chapel, Metairie. Private interment will follow at St. Vincent #1.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Breakthrough T1D to support Type 1 diabetes research at: https://www2.breakthrought1d.org/site/Donation2?2374.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T&idb=113478177&df_id=2374

For those that prefer to mail a check, they may do so to the following address:

Breakthrough T1D Louisiana, Centralized Mail Processing Center:

PO Box 6820, Hagerstown, MD 21741-6820.

“She fought the good fight, she finished the race, she kept the faith.” — 2 Timothy 4:7