Cecile LeBesque Grace Ballard

She was a daughter of Helen Meyers Grace and William Francis Grace, and sister to Helen Josephine “Joey” Grace McCloskey, William “Bill” Francis Grace, Jr. and Elizabeth Grace Hoefer.

Cecile attended Louise S. McGehee School and Louisiana State University. It was during her third year of college that she met her future husband, Westervelt “Westy” T. Ballard.

Cecile and Westy were married in April 1965 and immediately started a family. In their early years together, Westy was serving in the Navy, and they were stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii. They enjoyed three magical years on the island, filled with joy, adventure, and friendship, and they considered themselves incredibly fortunate to have made such lasting memories and dear friends during their time in Hawaii.

After the Navy, Cecile and Westy returned to New Orleans, which they would call home for the next 60 years. Each August, Cecile and her family would retreat to their beloved family home in Highlands, North Carolina. There, she delighted in regular hikes to local rockslides, teaching her children card games utilizing matchsticks as their bankrolls, watching her children tumble down their gentle sloping front lawn inside truck inner tubes, picking blackberries on their farm. These summer months were filled with laughter, connection, and joy — cherished time spent with family, visiting with friends from New Orleans, and new friendships formed in the heart of the mountains.

Over the years, Cecile gave her time to many non-profit organizations. As a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, she was a former President of the WOTC and served on the Chapel Guild. She was a sustaining member of the Junior League of New Orleans and the Garden Study Club.

A lifelong lover of antiques, furniture, and art, Cecile adored being part of H&H Estate Sales and always enjoyed working at Neal Auction Company during auction previews. She would often joke that any money she earned was immediately “reinvested” — going right back to H&H or Neal — because she inevitably discovered a treasure she simply couldn’t resist. She looked forward to her weekly bridge games with her wonderful group of friends, even though she often lamented (with a smile) that she usually lost a dollar.

More than anything, however, Cecile was passionate about her family. Affectionately known as “Ga” by her nine grandchildren, she felt truly blessed. She felt fortunate to have four of them in New Orleans and equally treasured her visits to those living in Houston, Texas, and Grosse Pointe, Michigan.

Cecile always looked forward to extended family gatherings at Thanksgiving and Christmas. She delighted in quality time with her 11 nieces and nephews and she and Westy frequently hosted their children’s friends in New Orleans. Whether during Mardi Gras, long Sunday barbecues or leisurely afternoons spent sitting on the front porch, she loved nothing more than sharing stories and laughter with those she loved most.

People often remarked upon Cecile’s elegant and gracious nature. But perhaps her most beautiful gift was her capacity for empathy and kindness. She made everyone feel welcome, heard, and special.

Cecile is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Westy Ballard; her children, Eleanor Ballard, Helen Ballard LeBourgeois (Charles), Katherine “Kate” Ballard Werner (John), Westervelt “Westy” Terhune Ballard, Jr. (Francine), and nine grandchildren, William “Liam” Patrick Walsh, Eleanor Cecile Walsh, Nicholas Westervelt Walsh, Charles “Clay” Claiborne LeBourgeois, III, Caroline “Nina” Grace LeBourgeois, John “Jack” Donelson Werner, Jr., Thomas Westervelt Werner, Sloane Isabel Ballard and Katherine Windsor Ballard.

Relatives and friends are invited to join us at the funeral service on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 1:00pm at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, for those so desiring, the family suggests donations in Cecile’s memory to the American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org, or a charity of your choice.

The family invites you to share your memories and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com.