SYBIL BALASCO
1924-2021
Sybil Balasco died peacefully at home on Friday, April 2, 2021. Born in 1924 to Frances and Julius Premack, Sybil grew up in Aberdeen, South Dakota. While attending college at the University of Texas at Austin, Sybil was introduced to Ralph Balasco whom she married in April 1950. They resided happily in Houston for 68 years until Ralph’s death at the age of 99 in 2018.
Sybil was an indefatigable force of nature. In 1953, she entered University of Houston Law School and graduated first in her class in 1956. Her first job out of law school was with Seymour Lieberman, who gave her a position working on bankruptcy law and other minor issues. Sybil then became acquainted with Bert Wheeler, and became his business attorney. She and Ralph, also an attorney, established their own practice, Balasco & Balasco shortly after.
Both Sybil and Ralph had a keen interest in politics throughout their entire lives. Notably, she and Ralph were driving to Dallas on November 22, 1963 for a campaign dinner for then Attorney John L. Hill and President John F. Kennedy. Upon hearing the news of President Kennedy’s assassination, the two returned to Houston. Sybil often spoke of this missed experience later in life.
In 1979, following years of political volunteering,
Sybil was appointed by Texas Legislator William Marshall Elliot as a Referee in the Houston Courts. When a new State House Bill passed, Sybil became an Associate Judge in the Houston Domestic Relation Courts. Sybil retired from the bench and from practicing law in 1984 so that she and Ralph could travel the world together. From this point onward, she and Ralph spent time in Russia, China, and Scandinavia. Paris, in particular, was special to Sybil, as was Taos, New Mexico – where she and Ralph often joined dear friends Millicent and Robert Sukman for many years.
While they spent time in Taos, Sybil and Ralph developed an appetite for Southwestern art, including sculpture and pottery. They met and became friends with artists from across the area, many of whom they kept in touch with over the years. Friendships were important to Sybil, and she made sure to maintain relationships with friends throughout her many years. She was a seasoned member of the
“Birthday Belles Club” with Donna Vallone, Harriet Reitman, and Kelli Cohen Fein. Of note, the Belles was a counterpart to the “Romeos Club,” the men’s lunch club to which Ralph belonged. Sybil’s many friendships amplified and enriched her life, and her family would like to offer their heartfelt thanks to all of them.
Sybil’s family is also deeply appreciative of those who assisted with her end-of-life care, including close friends Scott Sokoloff and Kelli Cohen Fine, and the caregivers from Evergreen Private Care, especially, Karla Bauer.
Sybil is survived by her loving brother, Herschel Premack (Bea) of Aberdeen, South Dakota, and her nieces Judy Josephson (Keith), of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Ellen Premack. (Charlie
Hauber) of Santa Fe, New Mexico; great nieces and nephews, David Rosenthal (Katie), Kate Josephson, Lauren Josephson; cousins Raule Nemer-Topp (Bob), Shay Butterfras (John), and Joanie Seidler (Martin).
Sybil’s burial service was officiated by her dear friend Rabbi Roy Walter.
If you choose to pay tribute to Sybil, donations are welcomed at the Sybil and Ralph Balasco Fund at Congregation Emanu El, 1500 Sunset Blvd, Houston, Texas, 77005, Jewish Family Service, 4131 S. Braeswood, Houston, Texas, 77025, or to the Houston Zoo.