Maria "ZeZe" Jose Keesee

Maria “ZeZe” José Keesee, 91, a long-time resident of Brevard passed away Saturday July 29, 2023 at Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard surrounded by her family.  

A native of Recife - Pernambuco Brazil, she was the daughter of the late Henrique Brederodes and Maria dos Anjos Brandão Coutinho. 

ZeZe started her life as an avid-beach goer, spending her days outside climbing coconut trees and enjoying the sun. She had a love of dance that took her to performing at the Santa Isabel theater. In her college years she could be found playing volleyball with her friends and on her college team. She graduated from the Institute of Education of Pernambuco, taking that knowledge to teach second grade. 

She moved to Brevard N.C after marrying Rouse Keesee. She loved spending time with her three children, four grandchildren, and a multitude of grand-pets. She found friends wherever she went, spending time at bingo and her favorite Dollar Tree. ZeZe loved to watch sports and was always cheering on the Brazilian soccer team. Later in life she discovered a love for birdwatching and tending flowers and could often be found in her signature yellow: the color of Brazil and the sunflowers she loved. 

She is survived by her daughter Patricia Keesee and her husband, Kenneth Conway of St. Mary’s, Kan; her sons, Roger Keesee and wife, Karen and their children Colin and Jena Keesee of Raleigh, N.C. and Bruce Keesee and his wife, Susan and their children, Cassandra and Zachary of Durham N.C.

A Memorial service for Maria Keesee will be held at 1:00 PM, Sunday, October 8, 2023 in the Chapel of Moore-Blanchard Funerals & Cremations. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, 12:00 PM-1:00PM, at the funeral home.