Barbara Frey Mann

Barbara Frey Mann passed away on September 19, 2026 after a courageous fight in the days following heart surgery. Just a few weeks ago, she was proud to have reached the age of 80 and had the opportunity to celebrate with her family and friends. Her family was the center of her universe. More than anything, she loved her devoted husband of 56 years, Tom, her daughter Sarah Mann Fedele (Joe), and her son Jonathan Frey Mann (Marie), who remained by her bedside throughout this short final chapter. She brought her sense of humor to her family even in the final moments before being wheeled into surgery. Her most cherished role in life was being “Bebe” to Abigail Mann Fedele, Katherine Mann Fedele, Ethan Thomas Mann, Hannah Louise Mann, and Eleanor Marie Mann. Whether cheering on the sidelines for volleyball and flag football, watching from the audience at a dance recital, or being “silly Bebe” on video calls, she loved them and they loved her and will miss her deeply. Barbara and Tom were true partners, setting an example of unwavering commitment for their children. Tom will miss doting on Barbara each and every day.

Barbara was born to Albert Augustine Frey and Florence Bing Frey on August 17, 1946 and was raised in the Upper Ninth Ward of New Orleans. The youngest of eight children, she was proud to be a Frey and cherished her family’s business, L.A. Frey & Sons, a fixture in the community for over a century. She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert Augustine Frey and Florence Bing Frey, who she loved and longed to reunite with in heaven. She was also preceded in death by her seven siblings, David Frey, Florence Frey Theriot, Kathleen Frey LaFontaine, A.J. Frey, Beverly Frey Reuther, Elaine Frey Bordages and Dolores Frey Meyer; her brothers-in-law, William Michael Mann, Sr. and Raymond Carroll Theriot; her sister-in-law, Barbara Hall Frey; and her nephew, David Michael Frey. She is survived by her beloved Mann/Macaluso in-laws, all of whom she regularly remained in touch with. Additionally, she is survived by twenty-six nieces and nephews that she loved watching grow up.

She graduated from the Academy of the Holy Angels in New Orleans, LA in 1964, and from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1970, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing and met the love of her life, Tom. For over a decade, she taught elementary school English and Religion to hundreds of students at St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Ponchatoula, LA, and Holy Name of Jesus School in New Orleans, LA. In the current age of social media, she enjoyed hearing from and reconnecting with her former students who are now well into their adult lives and knew her as “Mrs. Mann.”

As a dedicated parent, she was active in her children’s extracurricular activities at St. Clement of Rome School, Archbishop Chapelle High School and Jesuit High School. She was an avid Tigers fan and a season ticket holder for over a decade as her children attended Louisiana State University.

Within the New Orleans community, she was actively involved in the Newcomers Club of New Orleans, where she served as a Maid in the Club’s Mardi Gras celebration. Through monthly luncheons and gatherings, she developed lifelong friendships with women in the New Orleans community. A quiet leader, she also chartered and led the Delta Queen chapter of the Red Hat Society for several years. A planner by nature, one of her favorite hobbies was to plan and organize outings and trips with her “Red Hats,” which created special bonds. When she and Tom moved to The Woodlands, TX in 2018 to be closer to their children, she took that same passion for community groups and joined Women Newcomers Club of The Woodlands which led to many fun and memorable experiences with friends through Dining In, dominoes, and her favorite card-playing groups. In this later stage of her and Tom’s retirement, she greatly enjoyed meeting the dozens of new Texan friends and neighbors.

Barbara thrived on connection and would always pick up a phone to talk. She enjoyed the "old school" phone conversations with her children, sisters, and friends, often daily. She loved birds, the beach, painting, reading, and hosting, and had a lifelong passion for travel, sparked by trips with her father in her early years. Her family will greatly miss her presence and wisdom (sometimes unsolicited), but rest in knowing that her conviction to her Catholic faith and her marriage have been etched into their family DNA and will extend for generations to come.

The family would like to thank her cardiologist, Dr. Pratap Agusala, M.D., her cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Michael Koeckerk, M.D., her anesthesiologists, and the entire team of operating room and ICU nurses, perfusionists, and staff at Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital for their utmost care and compassion in the final days of her life. Their dedication, professionalism, and commitment, along with their prayer, continued to give the family hope and allowed them to be with her longer in her final days, for which her husband and children remain forever grateful.

Relatives, friends, and former students are invited to attend Barbara's Funeral Mass at St. Dominic Church on Harrison Avenue in New Orleans, LA at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026, with Visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Metairie Cemetery, followed by a reception at Southern Yacht Club at 1:00 p.m. In celebration of Barbara's favorite color, guests are encouraged to wear a touch of purple. A separate Celebration of Life will be held in The Woodlands, TX on October 10, 2026. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Archbishop Chapelle High School or Jesuit High School of New Orleans.