Nurse Beatrice Neree of Bay Shore dies at 50

Her friends called her Queen B, but to Beatrice Neree's husband she was the love of his life.

On Jan. 19, Neree was critically injured when her youngest daughter Cindy Neree, 20, lost control of the sport utility vehicle in which her mother was a passenger. The car hit a tree.

Beatrice Neree, of Bay Shore, died eight days later at Stony Brook University Medical Center. She was 50.

Beatrice and Joseph Neree met in November 1983 in Far Rockaway, Queens, and Joseph Neree said he instantly knew she was the one for him.

About two years later, the couple married and later had two daughters.

The Haitian couple shared the same Aug. 21 birthday and were inseparable.

"They called us twins. If they see her and they don't see me they asked 'where is your twin?' " said Joseph Neree, 60.

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Beatrice Neree had been a nurse at Affinity Skilled Living and Rehabilitation Center in Oakdale.

Fran Heyder, a co-worker and friend, recalled Neree as a cheerleader, union representative and confidence booster who gave pep talks during tough days on the job.

Neree would flash a smile and introduce herself by her nickname, Queen B, Heyder said.

"She was bigger than life," said Heyder.

Neree's oldest daughter Clodine Neree, 24, described her mother as an accomplished nurse and an active church member.

The family had been parishioners at St. Anne's Church in Brentwood.

"She made sure that she raised her children to be involved in church as well and be devoted to our [Catholic] faith," Clodine Neree said.

Beatrice Neree was also a fan of HGTV, Clodine Neree said.

Her mother would learn decorating tips and put them to work in the house.

Services will be Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Anne's Church, 88 Second Ave. in Brentwood.

In addition to her husband and daughters, Neree is survived by her mother, Marie Conseillant of Smyrna, Ga.; and sister Leina Francois Leconte of Powder Springs, Ga.