Margaret Hoffer Balsamo

Margaret Hoffer Balsamo, known to most as “Nannie Margaret,” passed away on February 10, 2022, at the age of 87. She was preceded in death by her mother, the late Alice Jourdan Serpas, her father, the late Louis Hoffer, and her sister, the late Alice Serpas Dolese. Margaret is survived by her nieces, Denise Schexnayder Labue (Mike), Phyllis Schexnayder Peabody (Warren), her nephew, Keith Hardeman (Dawn), her great-nieces, Laurie Labue Gurley (Waylon) and Ariel Hardeman, her great-nephews, Michal Labue, Jr. (Michelle), Dustin Peabody, and Devin Peabody, and her great-great nieces, Angel Adams, Arianna Labue, Michala Labue, and Alicen Gurley. Margaret is also survived by her best friend and companion of many years, Janice “Jan” Roth, whose caregiving was invaluable during Margaret’s final days.

Margaret was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was a proud graduate of Francis T. Nicholls High School, Class of 1952. She served in the United States Women's Army Corps (WAC) in the early 60s. Margaret was married to Joseph Anthony Balsamo Jr.; they subsequently divorced. In the early 1970s, Margaret moved to Arabi, LA. Although Margaret had no children of her own, she loved coaching girls softball at Patricia Park in Arabi, LA for many years. Margaret loved to play in the ladies soft pitch and fast pitch softball leagues at Patricia Park. Margaret was a long-time member of many carnival krewes, and she absolutely loved riding in the parades! (She loved attending parades too!). Margaret worked for Port Distributing in New Orleans East, until it closed in the 1980s. Margaret served as a Reserve Deputy for the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, eventually becoming a full-time deputy there, where she was assigned to the Communications Division as a Communications Deputy. Later, she was assigned to Direct Line Reporting (DLR), where she held the title of Detective. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated and forever changed St. Bernard Parish, causing many residents to move away from their beloved community – and Margaret was one of them. Following Hurricane Katrina, Margaret retired from the St. Bernard Sherriff's Office and settled in Denham Springs, LA with her dog, Baby Girl, and her best friend Jan. Margaret made the best of her time in Denham Springs where she loved going to the LSU Lady Tigers Softball Team’s games. She also enjoyed nature - spending time in her yard with her dogs, feeding the birds, and tending to her garden. Her hobbies included making wood crafts, and tracing and studying her genealogy. But what she loved most was spending time with her family and friends.

Margaret will be remembered by many for being a very strong independent lady who knew what she wanted in life. She will be greatly missed by those she leaves behind.

Margaret’s family would like to offer a special thanks to Margaret’s neighbors, Ms. Geri, Mr. Clive, and Buddy, for helping her by giving her rides and getting necessities when she could not.

Margaret’s family would also like to offer a very special thanks to Jan Roth for her many years of friendship and for her commitment to providing exemplary and loving care to Margaret during her illness; we will be forever grateful.

A visitation for Margaret will be held Friday, February 18, 2022, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at ST. BERNARD MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 701 W VIRTUE STREET, in Chalmette. Following the visitation will be a graveside service at 1:00 PM in St. Bernard Memorial Gardens where she will be laid to eternal rest.