Juana Francisca Mladenoff

JUANA FRANCISCA ZAMBRANO de MLADENOFF, passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at her home in New Orleans at the age of 88. She was surrounded by her family and loved ones. Juana was born in the town of Pespire, Departmento de Choluteca, Honduras C.A. to the late Bruna and Epifanio Zambrano. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Carlos Mladenoff, Sr., her son, Mijahel Mladenoff, and daughter-in-law, Linda Silessi-Mladenoff. She is survived by her children: Carlos Mladenoff, Jr. (Carin), Marcio Mladenoff, Sr. (Mary Ann), Alba Mladenoff, Maricenka Mladenoff (David), Reveca Mladenoff, Araly Mladenoff, and Yuri Mladenoff. She was the adoring and doting grandmother to Nicholas Mladenoff, Carlos Mladenoff III, Marcio Mladenoff, Jr., Sabrina Mladenoff and Sasha Mladenoff.

Juana immigrated to New Orleans, LA in 1958. She attended L.E. Raboiun High School simultaneously serving as a nanny to the Consulado General de Honduras in New Orleans. During that time, she met the love of her life, Carlos Mladenoff, Sr., and built their family of eight children.

Juana was a devout Catholic and servant of the Lord. In this order, she considered Faith, Family, Friends and Food (the four major F’s) as the quintessential ingredients for life!

Juana was adamant about her children having a solid educational foundation. She and her husband made many sacrifices to provide their children with a Catholic education. Although English was not her first language, she was actively involved in the PTA, humbly volunteered to keep the St. Alphonsus and St. Mary’s Assumption parish rectories tidy, and on occasion, would take her children along to help. Her hard work and dedication ensured a promising future for her children. Juana instilled in all of us the directive to care for each other and to pay forward all blessings received. Her positivity and influence radiated beyond her immediate family and toward everyone that came into her sphere of influence.

Having a moment to boast, Juana was one of the BEST cooks you could EVER imagine. It was a true privilege to partake in one of her many feasts! She could make corn tortillas by hand and was well known in New Orleans for making the BEST nacatamales in town! Like clockwork, friends would pay a visit around Christmas time to have a cup of coffee and a tamale (labor intensive – the process was written down from beginning to end – over 24 hours!). Our father, a mariner, would come home from a long trip, share what he ate in whatever country he visited, and Mami would duplicate it by description alone. We are so proud of how she welcomed everyone, prepared a heartfelt meal made with love and watched how it was enjoyed. Ourselves included, you were not going to bed with an empty stomach!

Juana re-joined the work force at the Hilton Riverside and Towers New Orleans in the stewarding department of the employee cafeteria. In this often difficult and thankless job, she treated everyone with the utmost respect. She was revered by her peers and was lovingly known as “Mama”. Pete Fountain was a cafeteria regular, and she ensured he always had the freshest piece of strawberry cheesecake!

Aside from her strong work ethic and culinary talents, she had an innate ability to anticipate the needs of others. Through her wisdom and guidance, she provided counsel, comfort and always steered us in the right direction. In addition to supporting close family and friends throughout her life, she ministered to unhoused and otherwise vulnerable individuals in the New Orleans community. She did this willingly, unconditionally, and without judgment.

Our family welcomes everyone whose life has been touched by Juana to join us in a celebration of her life. Visitation will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church,1802 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112 from 8:30am to 10:00am, followed by a funeral Mass at 10:00am. The graveside service and interment will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery, 4900 Airline Drive in Metairie, LA 70001.

The Mladenoff Family humbly requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in memory of Juana Francisca Mladenoff to The Rebuild Center which serves as a warm, inviting and dignified respite for the unhoused and those in need. The Rebuild Center is located at 1803 Gravier Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, (504) 273-5577. The Rebuild Center website is http://www.stjosephchurch-no.org/st-joseph-rebuild-center.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LeitzEaganFuneralHome.com.