Mary "Candy" Cambias

Mary Kathryn “Candy” Cambias, 78, of Covington, LA died on 8/29/23. She was born in Mobile, AL and lived her life in New Orleans, Metairie, Destrehan, Mandeville, and finally Covington. She attended St. Joseph Academy in New Orleans and met her sweetheart, Robert “Jay” Cambias, as a teenager when he was cutting her grass. They were married in New Orleans in 1966 and enjoyed 57 years of marriage. Candy’s greatest joy and pride were her two children, Robert “Rob” Cambias, V and Shannon Cambias-Prator and her grandchildren. She was a devoted, patient, loving and unselfish mother with the great fortune to be able to stay-at-home to raise her children. She never missed their sporting events, swim meets, school events, or just being there for them. Candy was a devoted wife; she and Jay had a very special marriage enjoying many amazing travels and were always found laughing or joking with each other and just enjoyed being in each other’s company. She was a loving and doting grandmother holding an exceptional relationship with her grandchildren. She was the kindest and silliest of grandmothers, who understood the value of quality time and never missed an opportunity to be together. Candy was a loyal and steadfast friend who gave freely of herself with kindness. Candy was an incredibly talented seamstress, sewing her own prom dresses, daughter’s dresses, wedding dress, and all of the curtains and bedding in their home. She also loved to paint as well and has many pieces of artwork showcasing her talents. Best of all she loved deeply to those who were fortunate to know her and was a true gentle soul. Candy was a woman of faith and was a member of St. Anselm Catholic Church until her health no longer allowed her to continue to attend services.

Candy is survived by her husband, Jay; daughter, Shannon; son-in-law, Christopher Prator; daughter-in-law, Selah Rose Cambias; sisters-in-law, Gayle Cambias Gardner and Carolyn Cowles. Candy had 5 grandchildren: Andrew Osborne, Mia Osborne-Cambias, Santiago Cambias, Maximo Cambias, Isabel Cambias, and 2 step-grandchildren Austin Prator (wife, Jeannette Montreuil Prator) and Brittany Prator Weaver. She had many wonderful nieces and nephews: Ylon Gardner Lorio (husband Paul Lorio), Kevin Gardner (wife Mary Gardner), Melissa St. Amant, Jed St. Amant, and Brendan Cowles (wife Kristen Borella Cowles). She is preceded in death by her son, Rob in 2020, as well as her mother, Lula “Catherine” Puckett Cowles; father, George Cowles; brother, Jon “Jack” Cowles; brother-in-law, Jerry Gardner; and sister-in-law, Sheron Cambias St. Amant.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 9, 2023 at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home. Visitation is from 10:00 a.m. until a celebration mass at 12:00pm. The interment will follow on the same grounds at All Saints Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Candy’s name to the Lewy Body Dementia Association https://www.lbda.org.