New Orleans cousins celebrating 56 years of riding with Krewe of Iris
By Metia Carroll
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New Orleans (WDSU) — Two cousins will be making history as one of the longest consecutive riding members of the Krewe of Iris.
Jackie Gondrella and Lynn Worley, cousins aged 79 and 86, have been riding with the Krewe of Iris for 56 years.
“Fifty-six years, this will be 56 years,” Gondrella said.
Initially, when the cousins joined the krewe in 1970, they had a mutual understanding that it would be a one-time deal.
“One-time deal, one and done, we knew we couldn’t afford it again,” Gondrella said.
Despite the $200 dues and monthly payments for beads, they found the investment worthwhile.
“We were so young and poor we would put on layaway and pay each month up until Mardi Gras to get our beads,” Gondrella said.
Reflecting on the costs, Gondrella humorously considered the real estate she could have owned had she invested the money elsewhere.
For the past 56 years, the cousins have cherished their time on the parade route, including the original one that rolled into the French Quarter.
“Ohhhh, the real thrill of a lifetime, turned onto Royal Street, people above us, below us, and you would get to the corner, and the crowds extended on every side street, it was fantastic,” Gondrella said.
Back then, the rules were looser, the crowds tighter, the floats smaller, and the costumes more revealing.
“Oh goodness, we were young and we wore short costumes, we were cute,” Gondrella said with a laugh.
In 2010, Gondrella traded her tunic for a tiara, becoming the queen of Iris.
“John and I were the king and queen of Iris,” she said.
It was a memorable year, coinciding with the Saints’ Super Bowl win, earning her the nickname “Super Bowl Queen.”
2020 marked the first time in 56 years that the duo didn’t roll down the avenue and then there was last year, which brought a scare when Worley thought Gondrella was dead.
“I turned around, her eyes were wide open. I thought she was dead… that was my worst experience,” Gondrella said.
This year, Gondrella is riding with a broken arm, determined to continue despite the challenges.
“This year it’s a broken arm, but I’m riding, I hope nothing else happens,” she said. “I only think about getting healthy enough to get on that float and ride … I don’t ever think about not riding, cause that even just thinking about that would be devastating to me. Because I know there will come a time when I get on at all,” Gondrella said.
The cousins are addicted to the thrill of the ride, and this year, all they want is a chance to do it again.
“I don’t know many people who do one thing for 56 years and still love it,” said Worley.
“I love it just as much as the first time I rode,” said Gondrella.
Jackie and Lynn are riding on the romance float, with Jackie on the neutral ground side and Lynn on the sidewalk side, talking to each other across the float.
They used to ride with Jackie’s sister Anne, who passed away, and the krewe marked her spot with a memorial plaque, ensuring her presence with them every time.
Iris is rolling Saturday at 11 a.m. along the Uptown parade route.
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