Isabel O'Shea Alexis

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Isabel O’Shea Alexis, who peacefully left us at the age of 91. Isabel was born and raised in the ninth ward of the city of New Orleans, LA, but was a lifetime resident of Chalmette, LA. She was a devoted wife for 47 wonderful years of marriage to her late husband, Harold J. Alexis creating a legacy of love and commitment. Isabel was a caring mother to the late Debra Lee Alexis, Cheryl Alexis Trahan (Joseph Trahan III), Lisa Alexis Jackson (Lee Jackson) and Paul J. Alexis Sr. (the late Lilly Alexis); her grandchildren, Michelle Trahan Kelly (Scott Kelly), Paul J. Alexis Jr., Joseph Trahan IV and Justin R. Kipker (Marya Kipker); her great grandchildren, Hayven Alexis, Devin Alexis and Victoria Kelly. She is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Wallace O’Shea and Inez Indiana Bennett; her brother John F. O’Shea.

Isabel was a homemaker who devoted herself to her family, raising her children alongside her husband, she waited until the children were older and then went back to school, graduating at the top of her class as an LPN. She worked for only a few years as a nurse, however, because her nursing skills were required by her father, mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law and husband. She dedicated many years to caring lovingly for each of them for the remainder of their lives. Isabel was gifted with a beautiful soprano voice, with perfect pitch and tone, she sang for many years in her church choir, once sang at the Municipal Auditorium in New Orleans, and even received a scholarship from Loyola University for her voice. She was unable to accept the scholarship, however, because at age 16, she and Harold had eloped and were happily married before she graduated high school. Her children have wonderful memories of hearing the beautiful voice of their mother, as she sang sweet lullabies and filled the family home with song. Her passion for singing remained with her for the rest of her life, entertaining fellow residents of the nursing home in talent shows or singing cherished old church hymns to them. For the entirety of her life, Isabel was a good and faithful servant of God, and loved her Lord Jesus Christ with all her heart. She will be deeply missed by us all.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation to be held at ST. BERNARD MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 701 W. Virtue St., Chalmette, LA on Friday, December 8, 2023 from 11:00AM- 1:00PM. A funeral will begin at 1:00PM. Burial will follow in ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CEMETERY, 2805-2747, LA-300, St. Bernard, LA 70085.