Joan G. Ardoin

Joan G. Ardoin, 81, of Lake Charles, was welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

Joan was born to Theodore and Angela Blanchard, in Eunice, Louisiana. Following her mother’s passing, Joan, along with her twin sister, was adopted into the loving family of Joseph and Annie Rose Guillot.

She was a graduate of McNeese State University with a bachelor’s degree in business. Joan taught typing and bookkeeping at Lagrange High School for 7 years.  In 1991, Joan became the office manager and recruiter for The Governor’s Program for Gifted Children, a program that held a very special place in her heart, until her retirement in 2001.  Her GPGC family was always a great source of joy in her life.

Joan was a loving daughter, devoted wife, mother, and friend, as well as an avid tennis player throughout her life.  She enjoyed playing (winning) and watching the pros on television which was always an educational experience, as she was never at a loss for words about whoever was playing. Second only to her faith was her family, especially her grandchildren, with whom she loved spending time, eating, laughing, and just being together at every opportunity.  She was a devout member of the Catholic Faith and taught religious education for over 30 years at St. Margaret Catholic Church.  She and Richard were members of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church.

She is preceded in death by her natural and adopted parents; her brothers, Bobby Guillot, Jimmy, Jerry, and Lawrence Blanchard.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her beloved husband of 59 years, Dr. Richard A. Ardoin, her children, Darek (Stacie), Craig Ardoin (Paige Louviere), Shelly McDonald (Aaron), her grandchildren, Kailyn, Collin, Emily, Allison, Abbie, and Alden, her sisters, Alice Alleman, Sister Mary Pius (Mildred Blanchard), Jeannie Blanchard, Margie Saucier, and Joanna Loup, and a host of nieces and nephews.

A gathering of family and friends to celebrate and remember Joan’s life will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Monday April 22, 2024 at Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles, with a Rosary to be recited at 6:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be observed on Tuesday April 23, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Our Lady of Good Counsel with Father Whitney Miller serving as Celebrant. Private inurnment will take place at Lacassine Cemetery at a later date.