Joan Sadler Becnel

She was born on September 6, 1945, in Washington DC. Following her father’s discharge from the US Army Air Corps her family moved to Metairie where she grew up. She attended school there and graduated from East Jefferson High school in 1963. Following graduation, she worked in business for 7 years. She met the love of her life, Paul “Doug” Becnel, on a blind date on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1965. They married on October 1, 1966. In August of 1967 she and Doug moved to Smyrna, Georgia, where he was assigned to active duty with the US Navy at NAS Atlanta in Marietta, Georgia. Upon his discharge, they moved to Luling where she enjoyed the rest of her life as a devoted wife and mother.

Through the years she was active in St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, ladies bowling leagues, ladies POKENO group, ladies Bridge group and a couples Bunco group. Joan was exceptionally good at bowling and pitching horseshoes. She won the KC Ladies auxiliary state horseshoe championship three years in a row. As an avid bowler, Joan won numerous trophies and sleeve patches. She and Doug won the state K of C mixed doubles bowling tournament in 1995.

She and Doug served as the Knights of Columbus Family Life Chair couple for the state of Louisiana in 1993 and 1994.

One of Joan’s favorite activities was going to casinos to play the slot machines. No matter how much she lost, she always called it entertainment. She loved visiting her son and grandchildren Kyle and Kayla, whom she adored. She also loved visiting family members throughout the US.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Arlene Sadler Jr. She is survived by her husband Doug, son Kirk and wife Lucretia, grandchildren Kyle and Kayla, sisters Jane Steadman (Ron, deceased) June Brillhart (Bob, deceased) Janet and husband Bob Brink and Jean Sadler. She leaves behind Doug’s sister, Barbara Necaise, and his three brothers, Harold and wife Charlene, Monsignor Terry Becnel, Ernest and wife Pat, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would especially like to thank Dr. Susan Gunn for treating Joan’s pulmonary fibrosis for the past nine years. We would also like to thank all the nurses and doctors in the ICU units at St. Charles Hospital in Luling and Ochsner Hospital main campus for the care and compassion they showed Joan in her final days as they did everything in their power to save her.

Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral mass on Saturday, September 9, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church 234 Angus Dr. Luling, La. at 11:00 AM. Visitation with the family will begin at 9:00 AM. Interment to follow at St. Charles Cemetery in Luling followed by a Celebration of Life at St. Anthony Community Center.