Hazel Marie Balducci

Hazel Marie Balducci, 93, of Sour Lake, passed away, Thursday, January 5, 2017, at Kountze Nursing Home, Kountze. She was born on August 24, 1923, the tenth and youngest child of Frank and Annie Coker Smith.  She was a very devoted member of the VictoryTemple in Beaumont.

Marie was raised in Marquez and Jewett, Texas and later moved to Galveston, where she met her husband.  In 1953, they moved to Saratoga and later, moving with their house, to Sour Lake.

She will be fondly remembered for her passion for making the most beautiful, brightly, colored, handmade quilts, and Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, too.  Her well-manicured yard that came to life in the spring with gorgeous pink and white Azalea bushes, bridal’s wreath, yellow Lillys and a rose bush, which was once her mothers, that has survived many moves over the years. 

Several years ago, her yard won “Yard of the Month” in Sour Lake.  She not only had a green thumb but was an excellent cook, too!  How could we ever forget the German chocolate cakes, 7-up cakes, spaghetti sauce, and fried chicken, the list goes on.  Her favorite sweets, a Three Musketeers bar and Blue Bell ice cream.  And then, there were those nicknames, Pete, Aunt Pete, and Pecklewood.

Survivors include her son, Richard Balducci of Sour Lake; sisters-in-law, Noami Ippolito of Austin; Gayle Vanskike of Texas City; and Joyce Kleimann of Hitchcock; nieces, JoAnn Beth of Houston; and Edith Shirley of Huntsville; nephews, Delmer Smith and Carrell Smith of Leon; and munerous other nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Albert Paul Balducci; and several brothers and sisters.

A gathering of Mrs. Balducci’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Monday, January 9, 2017, at Broussard’s, 530 West Monroe, Kountze. Her funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 10, 2017, at Broussard’s, with interment to follow at Guedry Cemetery, Batson. Pallbearers will be, Gary Turnage, Louis Orem, III, John L. Kleimann, Richard Mansfield, Doss Dillard, and Richard Buller.  Honorary Pallbearers are Gerald Loper and Delmer Lee Smith.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to, Victory Temple, 2630 South 11th Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701.