Audrey Mae Monteilh

Audrey Mae Collins was born to the late Aaron and Bernadine Collins in Lebeau, Louisiana on December 12, 1940. Audrey worked on the family farm and graduated from Immaculate Conception Catholic School in 1960. Her surviving siblings include Carol, Janice, Theresa Faye and James Arnold. In 1961, Audrey's life long friend, Bruno Monteilh, returned to Lebeau to ask for her hand in marriage. Three weeks before the wedding, Audrey boarded a train to Los Angeles and moved in with her childhood friend Anita and her husband Curtis Leblanc. Bruno and Audrey married on July 15, 1961 at St. Agnes Catholic Church. Audrey gave birth to three children: Tina, born in 1962, Keith, born in 1963, and Lisa born in 1965. Together they have been blessed with two favorite son-in laws, Pierre and Andrew, one favorite daughter-in-law, Yvette, seven grandchildren: Angelique, Paula, Jonathan, Desiree, Marvin, Aaron, Austin and three great-grand children: Nickolas, Jayda, Jonah. Audrey began running a home based day care center in 1969. The first child she cared for was her sister Janice's son Byron. Audrey became known as "Auntie" with all of the children under her care. During a typical school year, Audrey cared for her own children, while at the same time cared for four preschool aged children and one infant. Throughout the years of the day care program, Audrey cared for twenty plus children who were all academically and emotionally ready for school, when they left her care. Many of the children and families have remained in contact with Audrey throughout the years. When Audrey's youngest child began high school, she went to work in the corporate world. In 1979 Audrey began working for Automobile Club of Southern California. Audrey worked in the Emergency Road Service department, where she was known for "looking out for the customer". Audrey retired from AAA with an award of twenty-six years of service. In 1997, Audrey and Bruno moved back to Lebeau, Louisiana to care for Audrey's dad and Bruno's mom. After many years of loving care, both parents passed away in 2003. In May of 2003 Audrey and Bruno returned to California where they purchased a home in the retirement community of Murrieta, in Riverside County. Audrey has touched the lives of many. Her spirit and caring for others was a life long journey. When Audrey was not caring for family, she volunteered at the Convalescent Home in Louisiana, the Murrieta Senior Center, and the Blessed Theresa of Calcutta Catholic Church Rectory. Audrey was affectionately known as Mama, Grandma, Great-Grandma, Auntie and Aunt Audrey. She will be sorely missed, but she will always be in our hearts. Audrey is now, not only with her parents and loved ones who have passed on, but with her Father, God Almighty.