Nearly three years after Hurricane Katrina, 81-year-old Marie Ancar's evacuation to Houston has come to an end, reuniting with her husband Isadore just days after their 57th anniversary.

Marie never thought she would have a home after the flood that followed Katrina left hers in ruins.

But Isadore, a retired carpenter, sang the Cajun French songs of his youth as he went to work, at age 80 and despite arthritis, to rebuild their home. He often worked by himself.

As Marie walked into her new home, Marie gave a big hug to New Orleans businessman Jim Ravannack, who was so impressed with Isadore that he arranged for Olympic Repairs to finish the house so that Marie could return to New Orleans.

He was overwhelmed at meeting her and seeing her delight.

“It just brings so much joy to our hearts to see the family back,” Ravannack said. “Everybody's here. Everybody. It has been a project sent from God. I don't know what to say.”

Ravannack, a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, has arranged for one of the U.S. Olympic team members to carry Isadore’s picture into the stadium in China during the opening ceremonies in August.

Marie went from room to room, smiling in stunned disbelief at the incredible gift.

And then the emotions of it all boiled over.

“Beautiful,” Marie said. “You've deserved it for a long time, 57 years. I'm a get lost in my own house.”

“All I could do was clap,” said Jocel Ravannack, project coordinator. “It was like my child was coming home. And it was just, I was so grateful that she was here, and I was able to see it and be here and that we could help her.”

The house was finished in just six weeks, bringing Marie and Isadore back together so much faster than he expected.

“In one month, no, I couldn't visualize it being finished in one month,” Isadore said.

There was always a sense of urgency about this project, because Marie has been diagnosed with cancer for a second time. That's why Isadore was working so hard to finish the house as quickly as possible so she could come home.

An email from her granddaughter Shelita to the Eyewitness News Action Line got things started.

“And I just thank you so much,” Shelita Ancar Pittman said.

It was the 15th anniversary of their purchase of the original house, and on this special home-coming, Marie tried to get Isadore to promise to relax.

“No more work, you here,” Marie told Isadore. “Rest awhile.”

Said Isadore, “Oh no, I got to work.”

Responded Marie, “What you got to do now?"

Said Isadore, “I got to work underneath the house. I got to. I got to wrap all those pipes up, and all that. I can't stop working.”

And for Isadore, it was finally the chance to do something he had not been able to for so long – sing to Marie.

It brought tears to his eyes, and many others.