MONROE, La. - Louisiana legend Leah Chase, the Queen of Creole Cuisine who was also a civil rights pioneer in New Orleans, died Saturday. She was 96.

"The Chase family is heartbroken to share the news that our mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Leah Chase, passed away surrounded by her family on June 1, 2019," her family said in a statement. "Mrs. Chase was a strong and selfless matriarch. Her daily joy was not simply cooking, but preparing meals to bring people together. One of her most prized contributions was advocating for the Civil Rights Movement through feeding those on the front lines of the struggle for human dignity."

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Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards called Chase a trailblazer.

“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our dear friend," Edwards said in a statement. "Leah Chase led a remarkable life as a wife, mother, grandmother and trailblazing entrepreneur who believed in treating everyone with dignity and respect.

"She never met a stranger and used her love of cooking and feeding others to help advance the fight for equality and justice for everyone during one of the most difficult struggles in our nation’s history. Leah has left an indelible imprint on the city she loved, our state and nation. She will forever be known as the Queen of Creole Cuisine."

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Until recently Chase continued to work at her famous Dooky Chase's Restaurant in New Orleans every day.

In 2016 when she was honored by the Louisiana Legislature in the Capitol, Chase said she couldn't wait to get back to the restaurant.

"I was there this morning and I'm going back now," Chase said in an interview then with USA Today Network.

Chase said the secret to her famous dishes can be found in every family kitchen.

"It's love," she said. "Food brings people together no matter who prepares it as long as it's prepared with love."

Rep. Walt Leger, D-New Orleans, said Chase was "like everyone's grandmother in New Orleans."

Chase was named the 2018 Humanist of the Year by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.

"She was a major supporter of cultural and visual arts and an unwavering advocate for civil liberties and full inclusion of all," her family said. "She was a proud entrepreneur, a believer in the spirit of New Orleans and the good will of all people and an extraordinary woman of faith.

"She saw her role and that of Dooky Chase’s Restaurant to serve as a vehicle for social change during a difficult time in our country’s history. Throughout her tenure, Leah treasured all of her customers and was honored to have the privilege to meet and serve them.

"While we mourn her loss, we celebrate her remarkable life, and cherish the life lessons she taught us. The family will continue her legacy of 'Work, Pray and Do for Others.'”

Chase was famous for many dishes, but the told USA Today Network in 2016 her favorite was gumbo, a Creole signature.

"I like seafood, chicken and sausage," she said. "I put it all in."

Barack Obama ordered a bowl of her famous gumbo while campaigning for president in 2008 and had to slap him when he added hot sauce to her dish.

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"Mr. Obama, you don't put hot sauce in my gumbo," Chase recalled in an interview with WWL-TV. "So I had to reprimand him."

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser said he had lunch with Chase and President George W. Bush in her restaurant following Hurricane Katrina when Nungesser was Plaquemines Parish president.

"With all New Orleans was dealing with, she was worried about the people of Plaquemines Parish getting food and whether they were alright," Nungesser told USA Today Network. "She was a loving, caring lady who will be missed by the world."

Follow Greg Hilburn on Twitter @GregHilburn1