Joan Esther Steele

She was born in Cook County, Illinois, on July 14, 1932 and was the daughter of the late Joseph George LaCroix I and Esther Mabel Borman.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Steele was preceded in death by her first husband, Hugo Cesar Ricardo Berríos, and second husband, Martin Weisman, third husband Thomas Steele, and dear companion Paul Schaefer and daughter Rebekah.

She attended Elmhurst College and Bloom High School in Chicago, Ill. She was a Systems’ Analyst at Toledo Hospital and continued her career at Fort Myers Community Hospital where she retired. When she first moved to Fort Myers in 1976, she was a pioneer in Home Health Care initiatives. After retirement, she kept busy as a Welcome Wagon Representative, an aesthetician at Sonesta Resort and did taxes for H&R Block. She also found a passion in jewelry making. She was a former member of several Reformed Synagogues.

Those left to cherish her memory are her brother Joseph George LaCroix II and wife Patricia of Waco, TX; her children, Ricardo José Berríos and wife, Crystal of Huntington Beach, CA; Joanne Esther Sewell and husband Terry, Sander David Steele and Ramune Steele Brown of Fort Myers, FL.

She is further survived by her grandchildren, Isabella, August, Bianca and Caprice Berríos, and Gabriella and Alexander Steele. Her nieces, Michele LaCroix and Renee Rodkey. Nephews; Joseph George LaCroix III and Jeffery LaCroix.

The family will be conducting a private memorial.

The family request no flowers be sent.