Joan Marie Sons McNeely Ferrara

Joan Marie Sons McNeely Ferrara passed away on Thursday, August 15, 2024 after a long battle with renal disease. Joan was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Vincent Frank Ferrara; her birth parents, Leslie and Miriam Forsyth Sons; her adoptive parents, Harry J. and Myrtle McNeely; and her sisters, Faye Sons Lovas and Janice Sons Sibley. She is survived by her daughter, Lesley Ferrara Poché; her son-in-law, Albert Robert Poché IV; her granddaughter, Helene Clair Paxton; and her sister-in-law, Ann Ferrara Leonard (Jerry).

Joan was born on November 14, 1941 in New Orleans and attended St. Mary’s Dominican High School and Dominican College. In the late 1980s, Joan and Vince decided to enter the restaurant business and opened Court Street Cuisine in Bay St. Louis, MS. They later owned The Blue Rose Restaurant in Pass Christian, MS and The Blow Fly Inn in Gulfport, MS. Joan was well known for her sharp wit and sense of humor.

The family thanks Dr. Angela Reginelli, Dr. April Fox, Charles Jarreau and the staff at the office; also the staff at American Renal Associates (New Orleans Kidney Center), Dr. Inderdeep Gakhal and the staff of Touro Hospital ICU-3, the staff at Passages Hospice, and Ms. Imelda Durel, her longtime caregiver.

Interment will be Wednesday, August 28 at 11:00 AM at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum, second awning on the right side of the building. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Academy of the Sacred Heart in memory of Joan Ferrara preferred.