Emma Ricard Bell

Emma Blanche Rose Ricard Bell arrived on May 5, 1930 and she departed ninety one years later on May 19, 2021. She was born in Pointe Coupee, the twelfth child of Anne Colombo Ricard and Albert Francois Ricard, Sr. The family moved to New Orleans in 1935, and in her youth she attended St. Mary’s Academy and Francis T. Nicholls. In New Orleans she met her devoted husband and raised a family. She was married to Warren A. Bell Sr. for 57 years. Together they had seven children: Warren Bell Jr. (Rebecca), Aaron Bell Sr. (Debbie), Damian Bell (Lisa), Gavin Bell (Jane), Jenna B. Lizanna (Michael), Michelle B. Boissiere (Lambert III), and Patrice Bell. Emma embodied the word “caregiver”. She was a superb creole cook whose house always smelled delicious. Emma was a devoted Maw Maw/Grandma to her fourteen grandchildren: Kristina Bell, Dana Bell, Ryan Bell (Chellie), Adam Bell (Maridith), Brettany B. Grant (Kevin), Monica B. Armes (Cody), Brianna B. Roussell (Bruce), Bonnie Bell, Angelé Lizanna, Aaron Bell Jr., Nolan Bell, Celeste Mercadel, Lambert Boissiere IV, and Elise Mercadel. She adored her great-grandchildren: Mason, Corey, Devanté, Avery, Genevieve, Soren, Rory, Hunter, and Lincoln. Emma was preceded in death by her parents, twelve of her thirteen siblings, her beloved husband Warren Sr., and her sons Aaron and Gavin. Her loss is felt deeply and life is celebrated richly by her older sister, Elsa Peltzer, her five living children and their spouses, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and an extensive network of nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends.
A wake will be held on Monday May 24, 2021 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m., at Greenwood Funeral Home, 5200 Canal Blvd., New Orleans, LA, 70124. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday May 25, 2021, 10:00 a.m., at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church, 4700 Pineda Street, New Orleans, LA, 70126, with her Grand-nephew Rev. R. Tony Ricard in service as Officiant. The Visitation on Tuesday morning will begin at 9 a.m. at the Church. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.
Due to Covid 19, Face Masks are required for all in attendance and we ask that you practice Social Distancing. The services will be Live Streamed on YouTube under the account of Emma Ricard Bell.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to St. Mary’s Academy, St. Augustine High School, or Xavier University of Louisiana are encouraged.

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