1955
Jo
2022
Jo Ann Arceneaux
January 27, 1955 — April 7, 2022
Jo Ann Arceneaux
January 27, 1955 - April 7, 2022
Jo Ann passed away at her home in Marietta, Georgia surrounded by family after battling kidney cancer for the past two years.
She was born in Raceland, Louisiana and was the eldest daughter of Raymond and Alice Arceneaux. After high school, she attended Louisiana State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry. She then went on to earn a PhD in physical organic chemistry from Northwestern University. In 1986, she began a thirty-four-year long career working in the field of photochemistry where she was widely respected for her knowledge and leadership. Also in 1986, she met her future husband, Frank Kurtis Willard. They married in October 1991 and welcomed a daughter, Katherine (Katie) Arceneaux Willard, in February 1994.
While living in Kentucky, Jo Ann met Rita Buehner and Martha Cook where they bonded playing league volleyball and became lifelong friends. Rita, her husband Denny, Martha and wife Anne were very important to Jo Ann, and she always looked forward to their get-togethers.
Jo Ann was very active in the Girl Scouts. She was a co-leader for Katie's troop with her friend, Cindy Neck, and enjoyed taking the scouts camping and teaching them about science.
Jo Ann loved relaxing outdoors and was an avid hiker. Some of her favorite places included Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks. She also enjoyed hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the family's weekend cottage on Lake Keowee, South Carolina. In the summer months, she enjoyed boating, swimming, and kayaking on Lake Keowee. She also always looked forward to the annual family trips to St. George Island, Florida with her in-laws, Frank and Betty Willard, along with the rest of the Willard family.
Trained by her parents, Raymond and Alice, Jo Ann was an excellent cook and enjoyed sharing this talent with family and friends. As a proud Cajun, she was very fond of cooking and eating southern Louisiana cuisine, particularly gumbo, boiled crabs, shrimp and crawfish.
Jo Ann is survived by her mother-Alice Arceneaux, sister and brother-in-law, Donna and John Haller, many nieces and nephews, son-in-law- Daven Khana, daughter-Katie Willard, and husband-Frank Kurtis Willard.
Sine Qua Non
January 27, 1955 - April 7, 2022
Jo Ann passed away at her home in Marietta, Georgia surrounded by family after battling kidney cancer for the past two years.
She was born in Raceland, Louisiana and was the eldest daughter of Raymond and Alice Arceneaux. After high school, she attended Louisiana State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry. She then went on to earn a PhD in physical organic chemistry from Northwestern University. In 1986, she began a thirty-four-year long career working in the field of photochemistry where she was widely respected for her knowledge and leadership. Also in 1986, she met her future husband, Frank Kurtis Willard. They married in October 1991 and welcomed a daughter, Katherine (Katie) Arceneaux Willard, in February 1994.
While living in Kentucky, Jo Ann met Rita Buehner and Martha Cook where they bonded playing league volleyball and became lifelong friends. Rita, her husband Denny, Martha and wife Anne were very important to Jo Ann, and she always looked forward to their get-togethers.
Jo Ann was very active in the Girl Scouts. She was a co-leader for Katie's troop with her friend, Cindy Neck, and enjoyed taking the scouts camping and teaching them about science.
Jo Ann loved relaxing outdoors and was an avid hiker. Some of her favorite places included Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks. She also enjoyed hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the family's weekend cottage on Lake Keowee, South Carolina. In the summer months, she enjoyed boating, swimming, and kayaking on Lake Keowee. She also always looked forward to the annual family trips to St. George Island, Florida with her in-laws, Frank and Betty Willard, along with the rest of the Willard family.
Trained by her parents, Raymond and Alice, Jo Ann was an excellent cook and enjoyed sharing this talent with family and friends. As a proud Cajun, she was very fond of cooking and eating southern Louisiana cuisine, particularly gumbo, boiled crabs, shrimp and crawfish.
Jo Ann is survived by her mother-Alice Arceneaux, sister and brother-in-law, Donna and John Haller, many nieces and nephews, son-in-law- Daven Khana, daughter-Katie Willard, and husband-Frank Kurtis Willard.
Sine Qua Non
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