Donna "Cookie" Plaisance

Donna Kathryn “Cookie” Ryan Plaisance, 72, of Lake Charles died at 2:00 PM on Sunday, July 10, 2016 in a local hospital.

Mrs. Plaisance was born on December 5, 1943 in Lake Charles, LA as a fourth generation granddaughter of Jacob Ryan. She was a graduate of Iowa High School and also attended LSU. Mrs. Plaisance relocated several times during her life throughout the states as well as Italy before settling back in Lake Charles in 1997. She had been the first female patrol officer in Lake Charles. She later became a licensed ship captain and was the original owner of L.C. Launch Services. Mrs. Plaisance was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church.

She had a passion for reading and will be remembered as an amazing woman who will be missed dearly. She was a strong supporter for numerous charities that aided in animal assistance.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Sherman Smith (Charlotte) of St. Louis, MO, Timothy Smith of Lake Charles, and Julie Kathryn Baker (Michael) of Kinder; a brother, Ronnie Ryan (Fran) of Grove, OK; a sister, Rosemary Ryan of Sacramento, CA; six grandchildren, Aaron and Sarah Smith, Sister Caroline Smith, Logan, Sydney, and Brenden Basden; one great grandchild, Kinley Rae Gallander; two nieces and one nephew; as well as her beloved animals whom she adored.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James B. Plaisance and her parents, Thelma and Robert Ryan.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, July 15, 2016 in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Francis LaRocque will officiate. Burial will follow in Prien Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will begin on Thursday from 3:00 PM until 9:00 PM and will continue on Friday from 8:00 AM until the start of the services.

In lieu of flowers, donation in memory of Donna Plaisance may be made to the Benevolence Fund at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 3626 Common St., Lake Charles, LA 70607.