Dolores (Dee) Marie Hymel Levy, 98, of New Orleans passed away peacefully on November 16, 2022. Dee was born on February 12, 1924, the only child of the late Florence Knaps and Herbert Hymel. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Edward E. Levy Jr. and her oldest daughter Diane Levy Centanni (Jerry). Dee is survived by her children Lynn (Jim) Watts, Debbie (Wayne) Pierce, Ed (Beverly), Gary (Claudia) and DeeDee (Greg) Johnson and grandchildren Jerry (Dot) Centanni, Jr., Donna Centanni, Jimmy (Julie) Watts, Katie (Steve) Watts Jones, Chris (Dacia) Watts, Laurie (Beau) Martin, Katie (Marty) McElveen, Wayne (Stephanie) Pierce, Jr., Scott (Ariel) Pierce, Brad (Katie) Levy, Elizabeth (Phillip) Dauwe, Ryan (Melanie) Levy, Katherine (Daniel) Fortier, Rebecca (Sam) LeBlanc, Matthew (Emily) Levy, Mark (Kristen) Johnson and Christine Johnson. Dee is also survived by 29 great grandchildren.
Dee graduated from Sacred Heart High School on Canal Street. She was a beautiful witness of a devout, Catholic mother after the model of Our Lady: a gentle woman, a quiet light. As a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Dee was always there leading by example with patience, kindness, joy and a servant’s heart. Her family worked together, prayed together and loved together. On a daily basis, she had a positive effect on the lives of everyone she encountered. Dee had a gift for seeing the good in all people. Her kindness and loving care to others consistently reflected Jesus. Each Christmas Eve, “Happy Birthday” was sung to baby Jesus in a tiny manger atop an angel food cake. She and her husband Ed constantly and powerfully reflected the light of God’s love in their service to their Church and their childrens’ schools. She had a spirit of generosity and a level of energy that much younger people would have had difficulty matching. Dee was regularly a blessing to the clergy and religious of the Catholic Church. Seminarians, sisters, brothers and priests have all found a warm welcome in the Levy home. In 2010, Dee received the Regina Matrum award in recognition of her living witness of the ideals of Catholic motherhood and genuine Catholic family life.
The family wishes to thank We Have a Heart for their loving care since 2018 and Notre Dame Hospice for their support and guidance in her final days. In lieu of flowers, please consider Masses in her memory, donations to Notre Dame Seminary, the Archdiocesan Retreat Center at the Cenacle, Saint Pius X Church, or a Catholic charity of your choice.
Family and friends are invited to attend services at St Pius X Church Friday December 2, 2022. A Rosary will be prayed at 9:45 am on Friday, December 2, at St. Pius X Church, 6666 Spanish Fort Blvd, New Orleans, LA, followed by Visitation from 10am-12 noon. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 12 noon. Private burial with family to follow. Arrangements are by Jacob Schoen & Son Funeral Home.
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