Maria Balee

Maria da Conceição "Conce" Bezerra Balée, age 55, passed away peacefully from natural causes on April 6th, 2016. Conce is preceded in death by her father Raimundo de Oliveira Bezerra, her brothers, Franscisco Bezerra and Luís Bezerra and her sister, Maria Inês Bezerra. She is survived by her mother, Maria Joaquina da Silva Bezerra; her sisters Ana Maria Bezerra Galvão, Virginia Maria Da Silva Bezerra, Maria José da Silva Bezerra, Lúcia Maria da Silva Bezerra, Maria Aparecida da Silva Bezerra; her brothers, Mario Humberto da Silva Bezerra, Antonio da Paz da Silva Bezerra; her beloved husband of 29 years, William Balée, and her two cherished children, Nicholas Bezerra Balée and Isabel Bezerra Balée. Conce was born in Santarém, do Pará, Brazil, on December 8th, 1960. She received a bachelor’s degree in sociology in Brazil, during which time she met her future husband, whom she would love continuously for 31 years. In 1991, the two moved to New Orleans, where they would raise their children, Isabel and Nick. Conce was a loving, patient, and strong mother, and loved nothing more in this world than motherhood and babies. An employee and office coordinator at Hales Pediatrics for 19 years, Conce was adored by many families in the New Orleans area, many of whom stopped by just to say hello to her. A vivacious, youthful spirit, she truly loved to make others smile, and to not take things so seriously. She possessed an undeniable positive energy, and people flocked toward her in hard times, and in happy times, to share in her delightful, unceasing love. She was a smart, well-loved, and patient woman, who took pleasure in nurturing and caring for her loved ones and friends. Funeral Mass will be held on April 9th, 2016 at 11 AM at ST. STEPHEN’S CHURCH on Napoleon Avenue. Visitation will begin at 10 AM.