Joan L. McNaughton

Joan Alva Lucas McNaughton passed peacefully on September 20, 2019 at her home in New Orleans. She was a lifelong New Orleanian born at Baptist Hospital on October 21, 1931 to John T. Lucas and Novella Lucas, nee Kelting. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Eugene Eean McNaughton, Jr. She grew up in the Carrollton area and attended McMain High School. She played the violin in the school orchestra and began her advocation of art. Her first high school oil painting was exhibited in Jackson Square in 1946. She met her husband, Eugene Eean McNaughton Jr. on a blind date and was married in 1952. She had three children, Eugene Eean III (deceased), Scott Duncan and Clifton Beardsfield.

She was a caring and imaginative mother helping her children to experience and develop their abilities in the world of visual art and music. She was a student at the Tulane Newcomb College of Art Academy of Fine Arts. She studied the Japanese art of flower arranging, Ikebana, and her arrangements were recognized in exhibitions.

Joan was first mate with her husband sailing Lake Pontchartrain, the Gulf Coast and French Mediterranean coast and islands. She enjoyed the tranquility of sailing. She and her husband enjoyed traveling to England, Scotland and Europe several times and the middle East once. She began mastering the art of cooking by watching Julia Child on PBS in the 1960’s. She taught her children to be her sous chefs. Joan was active in civic and progressive political organizations. She was a founding member of the New Orleans Coalition and served on the board of directors. She was also a long time member of the League of Women Voters. She received the title of Honorary Citizen of New Orleans from Mayor Sydney Barthelemy in 1986. She has left her family the memory of her kind, loving and patient character and her drawing, paintings and ceramics.

Joan is survived by her two living sons, Scott and Clifton, and their spouses Diane and Mary, her daughter-in-law Rhonda of Eugene Eean III, 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Patricia Lucas and brother John T. Lucas. She will be remembered by her 9 grandchildren: Clifton Jr., Duncan, Eean Alexander, Eean Andrew, Lesley, Lindsey (Blake), Margaret, Michael, Tianna, step grandchildren Rhoni and Tricia and 3 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be held at St. Charles Presbytarian Church on Friday, January 17, 2020 at 2pm.