Cecelia Ida Ingolia Roesch died at home surrounded by her two d aught e r s , two sons and 'third son,' on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at the age of 106. Cecelia was born on June 22, 1918 in New Orleans, delivered by midwife, Mrs. Weber, to her parents Andrew and Cecelia Freese Ingolia. Her childhood was filled with love given by her immediate family, her large, extended family who lived nearby, and caring neighbors. Cecelia epitomized the life well lived. She was perpetually rich in convivial friendships and good deeds. She sang before she could talk and sang beautifully until the week before her death. If a song wasn't on her lips, one was always in her heart. Ceil attended Live Oak School where her favorite subject was arithmetic. She was proud of being a tomboy and the only girl neighborhood boys allowed to play baseball with them in the streets. During the Great Depression of the 1930’s, working-class girls often quit school after the ninth grade to help support their families. Ceil worked at Klotz Cracker Factory where her supervisor, Irene Cook, asked Ceil if she could invite her nice neighbor to the company Christmas party. Irene thought Ceil and the neighbor would like each other.
That's how our mother met her future husband, Lloyd F. Roesch, on the steamboat, The President. The couple eloped one month later to the courthouse in Arabi and were married fifty-and-ahalf years until our dad's death. Dad moved in with mom and her parents in 1941. Over the course of eleven years, the couple had five children. When their first child started school at Live Oak, Ceil became active in the Mothers' Club, serving as secretary for many years. She also sang in the parents' annual fundraisers. She once sang 'I'm only a Bird in a Gilded Cage' as she was lowered to the stage in a golden cage. The family moved to Gentilly (now New Orleans East) in 1956 after the death of Cecelia's mother. When her first son was close to starting college, Ceil knew she would need to find a job. A new store, TG&Y, was opening on Chef Highway. She worked there for many years, at first in charge of the hardware, and later the fabric departments where she shared her skills with women learning to fix things and sew. She also made her daughters' and her own dresses for many years.
Inspired by her sister Ethel's example, Ceil began attending night school at Colton Jr. High in order to pass her GED. Once she received her diploma, she was able to work at New Orleans City Hall, a position she held until her retirement. When Ceil and Lloyd were both retired, they began volunteer work with the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program. Our mother became the director of a food assistance district in New Orleans East. Both of our parents believed in the importance of this program as they recalled the tough times of the Great Depression. Each made sure to share news of the food programs with people they knew and strangers who might qualify for assistance. Mom became the director of Rest-a-While on the Mandeville lakefront owned by the King's Daughters and Sons, a nineteenth-century philanthropic organization. With her husband and a small group of committed friends and family, she undertook necessary repairs.
Various churches and secular groups used the camp for leisure and retreats. She held family camps at July Fourth and Labor Day. She organized a free week annually at Rest-a-While for senior ladies with her small group of 'worker bees.' Ceil and her volunteers cooked specialized meals for forty ladies in an unairconditioned kitchen. After the death of Lloyd, Ceil moved to Mandeville with her daughter, Christel, and her son-inlaw, Kirk. She knew only three people there. With her friendly personality, she joined various groups and became president of both the Mandeville New Image Club for seniors and the local chapter of the AARP. She also volunteered at Southeast Louisiana Hospital and the Samaritan Center in Mandeville. Ceil enjoyed traveling to visit her sons, their wives, and her grandchildren in Texas and Arizona. She delighted in her long visits with her daughter, Lloydel, in San Francisco and, later, in Santa Rosa. Living with two teachers, Ceil was able to take long road trips throughout the USA. Her last one, at 99, was made to attend her grandson's wedding in Las Vegas, visit her California daughter, and leisurely drive through the scenic West. Ceil toured Europe nine times. At 91, she visited her grandson, Ladd, in Germany. In addition to her parents and husband, Ceil is predeceased by baby Cecelia, her sisters, Ethel Dieck (Harold) and Adele McDevitt (Edward), and best friends, Gloria and Ursin Monier. She is survived by her four children: Lloyd (the late Kristine), Lloydel (the late Michael Whiting), Christel ('third son' Kirk Steen), Andy (Debby) and 'fourth son' Raymond Poret (Jill). Grandchildren are Lloyd (Erin), Heidi Watson, Randi Berry (Chris), Andrew (Monica), and Christian (Sophia). Great-grandchildren are Michelle Green, Megan Watson (Eder Salas Cruz), Brendan Jaeger, Conrad and Emeri Roesch. Ceil is survived by seven great-great-grandchildren. Nephews are Harold and Edward Dieck (Nancy). Dearest, loving friends are Lynn and John Folger. Grand nieces are Debbie Walker (Jason), Kirsten Palubinski (Craig), Lily Buras, Sarah Stopps (Chandler). Grand nephews are Eddie Dieck (Heidi), Jacob Dieck, and Kushal Singh. Sincere thanks to Dr. Susan Ovella, Ryan Bozant of Integrity Physical Therapy, Lisa Magliolo of St. Tammany Palliative Care, Southeast Home Health, and St. Tammany H. S. Hospice. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Those wishing to honor Cecelia Ingolia Roesch's life, please consider a donation to Second Harvest Food Bank. Expressions of love and sympathy may be viewed and placed at www.tharpcares.com.