Nathalie Rose Willig (née Winter)

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Nathalie Rose Willig (née Winter), a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, who passed away peacefully at the age of 100 on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Born on April 23, 1925, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Nathalie led a rich and vibrant life filled with love, laughter, and lasting friendships.

A proud New Orleans native and avid Saints football fan, Nathalie grew up in uptown New Orleans on State Street. She attended Holy Name of Jesus Elementary School and later Dominican College, where she joined a sorority and was a cheerleader for Tulane University’s sports teams. It was at Dominican where she met the love of her life, William David (Bill) Willig, Jr., at a Tulane Navy V-12 mixer. They were married in 1945, and Nathalie often said she knew from that moment that she had found “the one.”

Nathalie and Bill began their married life in New Orleans, where they welcomed their first son, David, in 1948. Bill’s military service later took the young family to Norfolk, Virginia, where he was stationed at the Portsmouth Naval Base. During their time there, their second child, Charles, was born in 1950. After Bill’s service ended, the family returned to New Orleans and continued to grow, welcoming Judy in 1953 and Jean in 1960. They bought a home on Forshey Street in Metairie where they shared many wonderful years of neighborhood memories with the Forbes family across the street.

Nathalie was deeply devoted to her family and friends. She served as a den leader for both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and, along with her friends, would decorate floats and sew costumes for Mardi Gras parades. Her fried chicken and potato salad became legendary along the neutral ground during Carnival time. Nathalie loved hosting lively parties year-round, often featuring her signature marinated mushrooms and dancing—especially with her beloved friend and neighbor of many years, “Uncle” Forrest Forbes, her favorite dance partner. Her parties were known for their elegant attention to detail – from the polished silver and crystal glasses to the pressed linen napkins and tablescapes. If a friend had a new baby, was sick or just in need of a lift, she was the first to bring her signature spinach and noodle casserole to cheer them up. She enjoyed shopping (maybe a little too much), buying “sussies” for all her grand and great-grandchildren, playing bridge, and celebrating Mardi Gras and Saints games with family, friends, and her grandchildren’s friends. She was the consummate hostess, and her home was always open to anyone who needed a place to stay, where “guests” enjoyed pressed pillowcases on every bed and the smell of bacon frying wafting up to wake you in the morning.

In 1977, Nathalie suffered the heartbreaking loss of her son Charles (Chuck) in a tragic car accident. In the wake of this tragedy, her sister Rita Mae encouraged her to channel her grief into a new endeavor. Nathalie and Rita Mae opened Back Porch Antiques, a beloved New Orleans shop. Some of her fondest memories were of buying trips with Rita Mae, traveling country roads throughout the Southeast searching for bargains and enjoying their scotch in the evenings.

After Bill’s passing in 2004, Nathalie continued to live in the family home in River Ridge, Louisiana, staying active by keeping an always immaculate home, playing bridge, dancing at the senior center, participating in Bible Study, and volunteering at a local nursing home and a children’s school there well into her 80s. When the time came for her to give up driving (at 95), she moved to Houston to Holly Hall Retirement Community to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She thrived there and made friends quickly with her exuberant charm and was even chosen to be Queen of the Holly Hall Mardi Gras celebration. At 99 years of age, she graced the cover of The Buzz Magazine for her unrivaled gumbo recipe, which has been handed down to her daughter.

Nathalie was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bill, sister Rita Mae Herbert, son Chuck, and daughter Judy. She is survived by her son, William David Willig Jr. (wife Judy), daughter, Jean Jenner (husband Rick) and grandchildren, Garett Willig (wife Sarah and their children, Nathan, Emma and Ellie), Amy Trocquet (husband Dan and their daughters, Riley and Charlotte), Leslie Beiswanger (husband Kevin and their son, Michael), Molly Arango (husband Andrew and their daughter, Rosie), Charles Jenner and Trey Jenner. Nathalie is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of friends whose lives she touched with warmth and kindness.

Our gratitude goes out to all her caregivers who helped her in recent years, including Esther Ajileye, Carol and Crystal Latigue, Yemesi Adeniji and Misturat (Peace) Adebiyi, and to the entire staff at Holly Hall Retirement Home.

There will be a visitation for family and friends on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Church, 10021 Jefferson Hwy. in River Ridge, Louisiana 11:00 am until 12:30 pm followed by a Funeral Mass at 1:00 pm. In consideration of All Saints Day, interment will take place with close family on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at 9:00 am in Garden of Memories Cemetery, 4900 Airline Drive in Metairie, Louisiana. A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date at the Holly Hall Retirement Community Chapel at 2000 Holly Hall Street in Houston, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you reconnect with an old friend or relative who you have not seen in many years. If donations wish to be made in her honor, please send to Holly Hall Retirement Home at 2000 Holly Hall Street 77054 or to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 1908 Short Street in Kenner, Louisiana 70062.

Nathalie’s love, laughter, and vibrant spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She made a lasting impact on everyone she met and will be deeply missed.

The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online at www.leitzeaganfuneralhome.com.