Maria Azucena Naboulsi

Maria Azucena “Nening” Naboulsi passed away on November 26, 2025, in the arms of her loved ones, including her partner Alex and her two adored and adoring children, Maarouf and Mariam. Born on July 3, 1953, in Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Philippines, Nening graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of St. La Salle. In 1980, she moved to Houston, Texas, where she began working at Baylor College of Medicine. She spent the better part of her professional life there, rising through the ranks in the facilities services department while raising her son and daughter and nurturing a vibrant social, professional, and personal life. For the past 15 years, she served as a Senior Executive Assistant at the corporate offices of Memorial Hermann in Memorial City, where she was deeply cherished by her extended work family.

Nening loved traveling with her loved ones, especially her son. She delighted in cooking for others and sharing meals with family and friends. Though not materialistic, she had impeccable taste and loved the thrill of shopping. She enjoyed dancing with her partner Alex, especially the joy of Texas line dancing. She also loved games of strategy like mahjong and poker—she was never easily bluffed at the Texas Hold’em table. A patient and skilled gardener, she tended lovingly to her calamansi tree and joyfully shared its fruit with those she cared about. Friends describe her as someone who brought every gathering to life. She kept close ties with lifelong friends while warmly welcoming new ones. Nening attended Saint Laurence Catholic Church, where she found peace and community. Above all, she lived to nurture and love her two children.

She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Herminia Labayen Abaygar; her father, Fernando Gasinga Abaygar; her sister Ninfa; and her brothers George, Melvin, and Ferdinand. She is survived by her brother Sonny and her sister Rose; her former husband and father of her children, Reda Naboulsi; her partner of 15 years, Alex Belote; and her children, Maarouf and Mariam. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the many friends and colleagues who offered love, support, and shared grief during the final months of her life.

A Celebration of Life visitation will be held on Wednesday at 5:00 PM at Settegast-Kopf Funeral Home, and a Funeral Mass will take place on Friday at 11:00 AM at Holy Family Church.