Joan Durland Benjamin

Joan Durland Benjamin passed away peacefully on August 10, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana, fifteen days short of her 100th birthday. Joan was married to the late William Mente Benjamin for 65 years. She was the daughter of the late Elizabeth Warner and William Davies Durland, and the sister of Elizabeth Durland Dupont.

Joan was born on August 25, 1925 in Beverly, Massachusetts and lived in New Orleans for most of her life. For many years, she spent summers in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Joan is survived by four loving children, William Proctor Benjamin (Margaret) of Greensboro, North Carolina, John Durland Benjamin, of Boca Raton, Florida, Ann Benjamin Zuraw (Ben) of Greensboro, North Carolina, and Thomas Mente Benjamin (Sallee) of New Orleans, ten grandchildren, William Proctor Benjamin, Jr., Elise Benjamin Turner, Lucy Zuraw Thompson, Jerrold Mente Zuraw, Lane Zuraw Ortenberg, Hughes Whitescarver Benjamin, Esme’ Boyce Benjamin, Marshall Beardsley Benjamin, Roberta Belle Benjamin, Reid Campbell Benjamin and five great grandchildren and affectionately was known as “Mimi.”

Joan attended Louise McGehee School and later graduated from Newcomb College in 1946, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority.

An active community volunteer, Joan was the founding President of the Young Audiences of Louisiana and was a Board Member of the Women’s Committee of New Orleans Symphony, the Women’s Voluntary Committee of the New Orleans Museum of Art, and the Auxiliary Board of the Lighthouse of the Blind. She was a past Chairman of the Ladies Golf Association of the New Orleans Country Club, a former President of the Stuart Clan, and a past member of the Board of the Orleans Club and the Le Petit Salon. She was a member of the Mayflower Society and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

An accomplished golfer and tennis player, Joan enjoyed many friendships on the golf links and the tennis courts in New Orleans and in Greensboro, North Carolina

Joan was a member of St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church in New Orleans for over 80 years, and the congregation’s longest living member at the time of her death. For many years, she taught Sunday School and was a strong supporter of and teacher for the Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR) program.

The family would like to thank the staff at Lambeth House, Right at Home, and Home Care Solutions for their care of Joan.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 18, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church, New Orleans, LA with visitation preceding at 10:00 a.m. The burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church, Lambeth House Foundation, or the charity of your choice.