Celia Johnette Dupré

Celia Johnette Dupré, was born on the 7th of October 1955, in San Bernardino, California, and passed away peacefully in Houston with her family and dearest friends by her side on Saturday, the 25th of November 2023, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was 68 years of age.

Celia called Louisiana, Florida, Texas, Colorado and London home throughout her life. Celia attended Woodlawn High School in Shreveport, Louisiana and Louisiana State University.

Celia’s life was filled with passion, joy, and an uncompromising devotion to those she loved. She was a loyal and loving wife to her husband of 35 years, Cornelius Dupré, with whom she spent her life devoted to supporting as a partner, confidant, and best friend.

Celia enjoyed a lifelong dedication to the performing arts, music, theatre and singing. She found great joy and pride performing at Houston’s Theatre Under the Stars, The Houston Symphony Chorus and in various theatres across Louisiana. Celia also showcased her talent across the world, singing with the Welsh choir in Wales, singing the National Anthem at Minute Maid Park, and at countless friends’ weddings and funerals. You haven’t heard Ave Maria done well unless you have heard Celia sing it, and anyone who heard her sing knows she was blessed with the voice of a true angel.

Celia traveled the world with Cornelius and shared her joyous spirit with friends in the UK, across Europe and in Africa, where she felt particularly happy.

Celia had a lifelong love for animals and loved spending time with her dogs and her beloved horses at her Colorado ranch, including many horses she rescued and fostered over the years. Celia was an enthusiastic supporter of education and wildlife conservation and was particularly proud to have started The Celia and Cornelius Dupré Program in Wildlife Education Endowment at The Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, which educates adolescents across Texas about wildlife conservation and ranching practices.

Celia was a strong religious conservative who believed in traditional American values and enjoyed supporting various veterans’ organizations, such as the SEAL Legacy Foundation and the Alex Sonnenberg Memorial Scholarship Fund at Rice University. Celia also passionately supported The Houston Mounted Patrol, Sky High for St. Jude’s benefitting children’s cancer research and Citizens for Animal Protection. Celia was generous beyond belief and would, and did, literally give the clothes off her back to deserving people and organizations in need.

Celia was preceded in death by her parents, Albert Ross Hickenbotam and Johnette E. Kralich-Louk; and her elder sister, Cynthia Fontenot. She is survived by her husband, Cornelius Dupré II; her sister, Alice Sue Brocato; her nephew, Serio Francesco Brocato; her niece, Sydney Sinclair Brocato; her step-son Houston Taylor Dupré; her step-daughter, Angèle Aimee Dupré-Butchart and her husband Jim; and her grandchildren, Henry, India and Eloise Butchart.

The family would like to give special thanks to friends and family who cared for Celia in her final weeks and days: Alice Brocato, Maria Layman, Jeanne Weido, Donna Kibler, Wendy Chiles, Mary Flores, Laura Martin, Emmanuelle Mattei, and Houston Hospice. The family would also like to thank Dr.’s Nancy Perrier, Naifa Busaidy, Pat Reardon, David Baskin and Bryan Moon who treated Celia with dedication, compassion and excellent medical care throughout her battle.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from four o’clock in the afternoon until eight o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 29th of November in the Jasek Chapel and the grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive, where the recitation of the Holy Rosary is to commence at quarter to eight o’clock .

The Mass of Christian Burial is to be offered at half-past ten o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 30th of November, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2140 Westheimer Road in Houston.

(Kindly Note: Parking for the funeral mass will be located in the St. Anne’s Catholic Church parking garage, which may be accessed off Westheimer Road and Kingston Drive, traffic control officers will be positioned so as to direct attendees).

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception at a venue to be announced during the service.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in her name may be directed to The Celia and Cornelius Dupré Program in Wildlife Education Endowment at The Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M Kingsville, 700 University Boulevard, MSC 218, Kingsville, TX, 78363, or by visiting www.ckwri.tamuk.edu

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