Betty Morales Ricardo

Obituary BETTY RICARDO was born on Thursday, January 31, 1935, in Ascension Parish, Donaldsonville, Louisiana to Mr. Joseph Emanuel Ricardo, Sr. and Mrs. Victoria Margaret Thompson Ricardo, who were lifelong members of St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church, Donaldsonville, Louisiana. Betty attended Southern University & A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she studied Fine Arts & Physical Education and continued studies for Elementary Education at Nicholls College in Thibodeaux, Louisiana. She was crowned as a Sweetheart Pearl for the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity while at Southern University. While studying at Nicholls College, Betty honed her skills and accented her natural talent for diverse athletics to become a dynamic yet insanely cool tempered trash talking tennis player. After a few years teaching history at St. Catherine’s Elementary School, Betty relocated to Miami, Florida and became an instructor to Spanish speaking students teaching English and other subjects to them. A short return to Donaldsonville, Louisiana would be followed by a move to the great state of Texas (Houston) where her only brother Joseph Emanuel Ricardo, Jr. and his young family at the time would call home until his passing in 2016. Texas (Houston), would not be the last nor only move this vibrant and colorful personality would call home, cross country travels and educating parochial school youth would remain a constant in her life, yet Betty Morales would add to her list of residence locations, Scottsdale, Arizona, White Plains, New York, and close out an Educator’s career with the United States of America’s Federal Program, Head Start, in Houston, Texas. Newly retired and living comfortably in Houston, Betty would be beseeched to once again make another move, this time to Phoenix, Arizona where she would quickly become a cornerstone to the life of one of her nieces who was newly married and a soon to be first-time mother. Betty Morales Ricardo’s presence would so greatly impact the present and undoubtedly future lives of this niece and her daughter that this great niece lovingly bears Betty’s namesake. Having had such expansive life joys and experiences, a deep keen mother wit and supportive family members, Betty Morales Ricardo superbly taught and influenced many who crossed life paths with her. Other’s futures have been just outright blessed because of her life’s work and journey. The indelible mark that Betty Morales Ricardo created during her earth stay deserves grand celebration and acknowledgement of a life well done. Betty is survived by 2 sisters, Adell Ricardo Fernandez (James Fernandez, Sr.) of Donaldsonville, Louisiana, Margaret Mary Ricardo of Kansas City, Missouri and Sister-In-Law Virgie Brown Ricardo, of Houston, Texas and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and loving friends. Preceded in death by her parents and sisters Aline Ricardo Trepagnier (Dennis Trepagnier, Sr.), Yvonne Ricardo Ferchaud (Willie Ferchaud, Sr.) and brother Joseph Emanuel Ricardo, Jr., Betty Morales Ricardo beloved daughter, sister, aunt, educator, artist, dancer, tennis player, basketball coach, history buff, seamstress, nature lover, breakfast chef, comedian, fearless traveler, home repair do it yourselfer and all around great human with the grace of a mighty earth mensch entered into eternal rest on Sunday, March 10, 2019. Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2019 from 1:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. at Lawrence A. Jones Linwood Chapel. Private disposition. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Betty Morales Ricardo, please visit our floral store. Read More

Betty Morales Ricardo

January 31, 1935 - March 10, 2019