Cecilia K. Balzer

Cecilia Karilyn Sciré Balzer passed away peacefully at home on December 13, 2025, just a day after celebrating her 82nd birthday surrounded by beloved family. Born on December 12, 1943, in Akeley, Minnesota, Cecilia lived a life rich in creativity, service, and love.

A woman of many talents and boundless curiosity, Cecilia cultivated beauty wherever she went. She enthusiastically shared her passion for art, reading, gardening and playing bridge with all who knew her. She was so pleased and proud when her yard was honored as "Yard of the Year" in 2019. Whether it was painting, planting, or preparing for her next creative endeavor, Cecilia was always ready with the perfect supplies for the task at hand.

As a young wife and mother, she helped establish Balzer’s Service Center in the same neighborhood as her childhood home in Hyattsville, MD. The business served as a place of employment where some of her brothers worked while in high school.

Cecilia’s passion for words shaped her work as an editor at Catholic University and later as an Intelligence Analyst with the DEA. Cecilia was also an active member of the community serving as President of the Northview Homeowner’s Association and was actively involved in the planning for The New Town Center. A fierce community advocate who fought not only for practical traffic concerns but also for a landscape solution that would benefit the community and the surrounding neighborhoods. She advocated for the planting of Willow Oak trees on Northview Drive with the future vision derived from her beloved canopy of Beech trees on Belair Drive. If you find yourself driving down Northview Drive and notice how nice the Willow Oak trees look, we hope you’ll think lovingly of Mom.

Cecilia developed a passion for creating art in retirement where she took many classes through the SAGE program at the Bowie Senior Center. She found many new friends in retirement and enjoyed creating, reading, and getting to know new people.

She was the proud and loving mother of Christina Noelle (Ric) and Elisabeth Helene (Steve), who carry forward her legacy of strength and grace. She is the devoted sister to Leo (Fay), Fred, John, Magreta (David), Vincent (Janet), Celeste (Dan), Eileen (Ted), Irene (Tony), Mary (Chris), Michael, Mathew, Mark (Leanne), and Martin. Her life was enriched by the company and love of many nieces, nephews, and dear friends and neighbors, each of whom she held close to her heart.

Cecilia was preceded in death by her parents, Vincenzo James Emanuel Sciré and Leona Katherine Wittman Sciré, and infant daughter Victoria Lynn (twin to Christina).

A celebration of life will be held in the spring when flowers are in bloom.