Mary Ann Madere

Mary “Ann” Cambre Madere was born in Reserve, Louisiana November 4th, 1940.

Ann graduated as the Salutatorian at Leon Godchaux High School in 1958. After graduation she worked as a stenographer until shortly before her wedding. She married her high school sweetheart, Antoine “Tony” Davant Madere Jr., on October 3rd, 1959.

Above all, Ann was a devoted wife. When they married, Tony was still in ROTC at Louisiana State University. She said she would follow him anywhere and she did. After Graduation, Tony was commissioned in the US Air Force and first stationed in Texas. They also lived in New Mexico, California, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Kansas and several bases in Texas where they settled after retirement. When he was deployed overseas, she stayed home with 5 children. When he retired after 20 years, Ann was also presented with a retirement certificate for her devotion as a military spouse. She was proud to be a military officer’s wife and often talked about what a good life it was. She always felt military personnel were one big family.

Being a social butterfly, she made lasting friends wherever they lived. She kept in touch using letters over the years with many families with whom they had been stationed. In her later years, she spent hours on the phone keeping in touch. She was always ready to offer advice, lend an ear, or just listen.

A busy mother, she raised 7 children spanning 19 years. The first 5 children were born within 6 years and are affectionately called “the first family”. The last 2 children were welcomed after an 11-year gap and were often faced with 7 people bossing them around instead of just 2.

One son recalls Mom being ready with a hug when he needed support. Another that she was quick with the Merthiolate and a band-aid before sending him on his way. The kids lost count of the many times Mama applied Vicks VapoRub for every ailment or salt for bug bites. When the kids were grown, she was happy to share recipes or provide input on forgotten household chores like how to iron.

Ann took being a homemaker seriously learning to prepare themed meals, clipped coupons, created mini-dinners for her kids’ lunches, catered and hosted cocktail parties, catered 3 of her children’s weddings and maintained a white-glove-inspection worthy household – all while dressed like Jackie O. She was creative with crafts and in particular sewing. She made her wedding gown and then went on to design and sew formal gowns and even kept GI Joe and Barbie in high fashion with the scraps. With great attention to detail, she made matching dresses for her little girls. She used the scraps to clothe their baby dolls. And with all those kids, there was a lot of creative button replacement, patching and tailoring to size – sometimes with creative use of a safety pin. She gave meaning to “reduce, reuse, recycle” turning mundane objects into beautiful Christmas ornaments or other handmade projects, and wringing every minute of use out of an object.

She loved being outside and working in the yard planting flowers, pulling weeds and mowing the lawn. But she also found time to enjoy classic movies.

An organizer by nature, she kept detailed notes on everything - most memorable is the great detail found in her children’s baby books. Forever an editor, her newsletter career began in high school where she was the school paper editor. Tony also worked on the school newspaper. She spoke of fun they had during those times in the upstairs classroom used for the newspaper, getting to know each other before they started dating. Over the years, she wrote and edited newsletters for many organizations including multiple Catholic parishes and most of the charitable organizations with which she was associated. Often, the kids were amazed at how fast her fingers flew over the keys of a manual typewriter. She had a special fondness for Wite-Out and the old-fashioned cut with scissors and paste with Elmers or Scotch tape.

As a born leader and dedicated volunteer, Ann was always involved in something and often named chair or president. Some of her volunteer work included: Catholic parish council, Catholic Women of the Chapel, Blue Army, Traveling Madonna sponsor and coordinator, altar server coordinator, Publicity Committee at several parishes, Council of Catholic Women, Altar Society, Catholic Ladies Sodality, Ladies of Charity, Girl Scouts, and Officers Wives Club.

Her Catholic faith was of vital importance. Ann assisted her husband in teaching RCIA and Catholic Confirmation classes over a 50-year period. Together they raised funds for several parishes by operating a religious goods store at parish festivals and events. She spent time sharing her faith with everyone around her. She maintained a special devotion to Our Lady and the Rosary. She would be the first prayer warrior to call when one needed prayers.

Ann is preceded in death by her husband Tony of 57 years; her parents Francois Edward Cambre Jr, and Denise Songy Cambre; her in laws Antoine Davant Madere Sr. and Gerdie Clement Madere; her brother-in-law Clyde Madere and his wife Betty.

She is survived by her seven children: Wendy Winkler (Jerry), Jeffrey Madere (Angelique), Whitney Madere (Kathy), Mark Madere, Bonnie Humphrey (Devon), Gregory Madere (Jennifer), Jenny Carpenter (Robert). Ann had 17 grandchildren: Lindsi Graham, Craig Winkler, Joshua Madere (J.R.), Justin Madere, Brian Winkler, Theresa Barrera (Joseph), Jenna Belk (Cavin), Julia Thompson (Daniel), Andrew Humphrey (Monica), Jessica Madere, Dillon Humphrey {Kacee), Kody Madere, Christopher Madere, Jameson Madere, Joseph Madere, Owen Carpenter and Johnathan Carpenter and 7 great grandchildren.

She is also survived by her 4 brothers – Ralph Cambre (Frances), Francois Cambre III (Sandra), Joseph Cambre (Betty), Paul Cambre (Jana) and 1 sister Arlene Klaus (Art); sisters in law Patty Watson (Jerry), Arlene Entremont (Joel), Yvonne Rongy (James) and brother-in-law Warren Madere (Rachel).

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her memory at:

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 4045 Farm to Market 535, Bastrop TX 78602

St Mary’s Cathedral, 203 East 10th Street, Austin TX 78701

St Martin de Porres Catholic Church, PO Box 1062, Dripping Springs TX 78620, Att: New Building Fund

EWTN, Eternal Word Television Network

St Jude’s Children’s Hospital

Services will be Monday, March 9, 2026 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rockne, Texas. Family and friends will gather from 9:00am to 10:00am. The Rosary will begin at 10:00am and the Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 with the burial following at Sacred Heart Cemetery.