Nerli Teresa Weber Grather, a resident of Slidell, passed peacefully while surrounded by family on May 11, 2016 at the age of 89. Born in New Orleans on March 25, 1927, to the late Manual Joseph and Teresa Lally Weber, she graduated from Nichols High School in 1943. In 1953, she built one of the first homes in Arabi Park where she continued to live and work until she was displaced by Hurricane Katrina. As a young woman she worked in the family business while raising three children. At age 35, she decided to go to college, and in 1965, graduated from the Louisiana State University of New Orleans with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. This began a legacy of family graduating to pursue a career in education, which includes two daughters and a granddaughter. In the Fall of 1965, Ms. Grather began teaching Geometry at Chalmette High School. When she was hired in 1965, she immediately purchased a brand new white Oldsmobile convertible with maroon interior to match Chalmette High School’s colors. The car was well known around campus and seen in homecoming parades and activities for many years. In 1970, Ms. Grather earned her Master’s Degree of Education in Guidance and Counseling from Loyola University. She went on to attain her Masters Plus 30. In 1971, she became a counselor at Chalmette High School and continued in that capacity for 26 years with a positive impact on thousands of lives. Ms. Grather’s community involvement began with bowling at Arabi Bowl, Square dancing, St. Bernard Adult Band and Kaiser Chorus. Later she was on the board of Community Actors of St. Bernard Theater (CAST) and worked in all areas of production. She also worked election polling centers. She was an active parishioner in St. Louise deMarillac’s parish where she served as a lector, song leader and Eucharist Minister. Ms. Grather was honored to receive the St. Louis King of France Medallion for outstanding service to her church. She was the Chairperson of Red Cross Blood Drive at Chalmette High for many years and was dubbed the “Vampire of CHS.” She was Chairperson of St. Bernard Parish Professional Improvement Plan, a member of the St. Bernard Parish Republican Women’s Club, and Chalmette High School’s coordinator of student volunteers for Special Olympics. She was named St. Bernard Parish Older Worker of the Year in 1993, and was a long time member of the Business and Professional Women of St. Bernard Parish. She instilled a motto of service to those in her family and participated yearly with her six grandchildren at the annual Clean-Up St. Bernard Parish. Ms. Grather also volunteered preparing taxes for seniors at the St. Bernard Senior Center. She was a world traveler with friends and the Foreign Study League. One of her favorite stories was about her appearance in the mid 80’s on Wheel of Fortune. The joke among her grandchildren was she could never go anywhere without being recognized by someone. Ms. Grather is survived by daughters Sandra Grather Garcia and Cynthia “Puddy” Grather Kooke and her husband Gary. Five grandchildren Kristin Kooke Carbo, Walter “Jay” Grather IV, Dr. Kelly Garcia Nation, Ashley Garcia Gluege, and Daniel Grather. Ten great-grandchildren Alexis Kooke, Clint and Kyle Carbo, Scarlet and Indiana Nation, Lucian and Lucas Gluege, Hannah, Letha “Faye,” and Sarah Grather. Ms. Grather is preceded in death by her parents, her son Walter “Jay” Grather III, her brother Manuel “Bubby” Weber Jr., and her granddaughter Amy Lynn Kooke. Relatives and friends of the family were invited to attend a mass of christian burial at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA on Wednesday, May 18, 2016. Interment followed in Metairie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in honor of Ms. Grather to the David J. Senez, Jr. Foundation at www.djsfoundation.com or the St. Bernard Parish Battered Women’s Program at www.stbernardbwp.com. To view and sign the family guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.
