Sylvia McKenzie Bellau, age 94, passed away on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at her home in Slidell.

Sylvia was born on October 12, 1928, to the late Mary and Floyd McKenzie. She is preceded in death by her siblings Winnie Mae McKenzie, Darwin "Dub" McKenzie, Audrey Lewis, Larry McKenzie, Donis Brenteson, Carolyn Bergeron and Hilda Salers. She is also preceded in death by her loving husband, Eugene "Gene" Bellau.

Sylvia was born on a rural Mississippi farm at the end of the Great Depression. While farm-life was hard in the '20s and 30's, the McKenzie kids all grew up with a level of manners and humor that would delight anyone. She worked on the war effort as a teenager, sewing coats. She eventually moved to Baton Rouge with 2 of her sisters. It was here that Sylvia met the love of her life, Gene, an LSU diver, and cheerleader. After Gene graduated, they moved to New Orleans were they soon married and began a family. Once her boys grew old enough, she began a career in Real Estate, spending the next 40 years selling homes proudly for Latter & Blum.

In 2005, she packed 3 days of clothes into her car and drove away from her family home for the last time. Katrina took everything she owned. She never shed a tear "as long as we're all safe." During her exile from New Orleans, one cousin mentioned to her, "you're the best dressed homeless lady I've ever seen."

Sylvia was always proper, well dressed and had a stinging wit that left everyone with a delayed, yet boisterous laugh. She loved to tell stories about her childhood or New Orleans in the 1960's.  There is nothing she wouldn't do for her children and grandchildren. There was no end to her love and devotion to her family and it showed every day, "I'm so proud of you." But it was her family that was so proud of her. She worked hard, every day of her life, showing passion and devotion for her family, church, and career. We miss her so dearly.

Survivors include her 3 sons, Andrew Bellau (Darlene), Michael Bellau (Michelle) and Kenneth Bellau (Candy), 4 grandchildren, Eugene Bellau, Jennifer Bellau Baudier (Albert), Mary Bellau Murphy (Chad) and Sofia Bellau and 2 great-grandchildren, Alexis Messina (and her father Paul), McKenzie Murphy and Emily, Kayla, and Justin Baudier (Taylor). She is also survived by her beloved sister Lucy McKenzie Saia and brother Nelson McKenzie as well as countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Visitation and Funeral Service at HONAKER FUNERAL HOME, 1751 GAUSE Blvd. WEST (IN FOREST LAWN CEMETERY), Slidell, LA on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Visitation from 10:00 A.M.
until service time at 12:00 P.M.

A private family Interment will be held at Hope Mausoleum in New Orleans.

Arrangements by Honaker Funeral Home, Inc., Slidell, LA.