Audrey Lillian Cusimano

Audrey Lillian Roy Cusimano, the ageless Matriarch of her large and beloved family, passed away on February 23 at the young age of 88. Preceded in death by her beloved husband of 46 years, Nicholas Nunzio Cusimano; and her parents, Henry Pierre Roy and Haydee O’Brien. Audrey is survived by her sister and best friend/partner in crime, Jeanne Gaudet; her eight children and their spouses, Carol and Richard Esteve, Jeanne and Joey McGoey, Nick and Linda Cusimano, Marlene and Alvin Gernard, David and Tracy Cusimano, Patty and Mike Knight, Kelly Cusimano and Natalie Finnegan and Ray and Monica Cusimano; 21 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren, every one of whom “Mimi” was loudly proud. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.

A years-long Thursday regular at Mandina’s and a founding member of the We-D-K (We Don’t Know!?) club, Audrey is both preceded in death and survived by countless devoted extended family members and friends both in Louisiana and California, where she spent hurricane season annually with her youngest son Ray and his family, effectively schooling the locals on the proper way to cook, eat, drink and live life to the fullest.

Audrey will be forever remembered for the sparkle in her brown eyes, her unflinching love for the city of New Orleans, her pot of red gravy, her daily rolling phone conversations with any family member or friend who needed a chat, her love of reading and wine, her facile mind and acerbic wit, the depths of her capacity for joy and love, and for her faith in God, which she routinely reminded us all is the way to peace. A wise and wonderful gift to the world, Audrey will be lovingly missed every day.

Audrey was a parishioner of many years at St. Benilde Catholic Church in Metairie Louisiana, where a funeral Mass to celebrate her life will be held on Friday, March 9th at 12 noon, with visitation beginning at 10am.