Mrs. Wagener was a highly respected and beloved principal of St. Jude the Apostle School.She never wavered in her support and loyalty for her teachers and staff.
A special memory I have of her is a time when the faculty and staff got their flu shots.  We had arranged to all have a “sick-out” (pretend) the next day.  As part of the administrative staff, I got to the school early and I noticed the phones were consistently ringing.  Mrs. Wagener, as professional as she was, was nervously writing down the names of the teachers who were calling in sick.  She asked me to help her, noting, “what are we going to do?  I might have to shut the school down!”  In the middle of answering phone calls, she told me that I would have to substitute all day and other staff would have to step in.  I  was sympathizing with her when one of the last calls came in.  She anxiously picked up the phone, and on the other end was our comical PE Teacher.  Mrs. Wagener hurriedly said, “ I know.  You’re not coming in.  You had a reaction to the flu shot!”  
The teacher calmly said,  “Oh no, Mrs, Wagener….”(at which time Mrs. Wagener looked up at me with a sigh of relief!”)
 “No, Mrs. Wagener, I was just calling to say: April Fool!!!!!”
We only could’ve done that with a person we all loved.

Joy was a wonderful person. I will always cherish the wisdom she shared with me when we worked together at St. Michael. No matter where she was, she made an impact. I hope all the kids that she worked with and for, realize how loved they were by her.
She had an ability to administrate and be firm but in a kind and gentle way. I always enjoyed her stories of her youth in New Orleans, No student that saw it could forget her baton twirling exhibition. She was truly a very special lady.
I know she is at rest now with her cherished Husband. It is a rest she truly earned during her time on earth.

I taught with Joy at STM in the 70’s. ( I also taught Troy and Sherry during that time) Joy was one of the best teachers I ever had the pleasure of working with. She was kind, loving, soft spoken, and also fair and nonjudgemental with the students. I loved how her smile lit up the room. GOD bless you all as you grieve this loss but know that she rests in Jesus’ arms now! 
Claudia Richard
(San Antonio, Tx.)

Joy was an amazing educator, co-worker, role model, and friend. We worked together at St. Thomas More for eight years, and I always respected her care for our mutual students. Even when we disagreed, I always knew she had the best interest of our students at heart. While I lived in Florida for many years, our reunions felt as if I had never left. Joy was a beautiful woman with a beautiful soul. She definitely beat the odds- I remember her living on Coca-Cola and cigarettes;) My prayers are with her, her children, her grandchildren, her many friends and students. She will be missed.

Joy was one of my favorite people.  From the time I shared an office with her at St. Thomas More School to the years she was my principal at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Kenner, Joy was always there with friendship, encouragement, kindness, and graciousness.  She taught my children in religion classes, where she always made her faith known to the children and encouraged, both through classroom lessons and her personal example.  She was always there for me with a kind word or just a smile.    She has maintained our friendship through 45 years, and although I moved away from Baton Rouge over thirty years ago, every time I visited with Joy it was just like I had never left.  She will always be missed and I want to express my sincere condolences to her children, whom she loved so much.  I have always felt that I knew them well because she talked about them so often.  Joy was truly a great lady and a great friend.

Memorial Visitation

Mass of Christian Burial

Troy Wagener (Keely)

Sherry Wagener (Scott)

Alyse Mouledoux (Pierre), Stephen Toups (Caroline), Meredith Downs (William), Beverly Rhodes (Ladd), Robby Scott (Emily)

Pierre Mouledoux Jr., Jean Paul Mouledoux, Marc Mouledoux, Perrin Mouledoux, Wesley Downs, Ellie Downs, Molly Rhodes, Major Rhodes, Miller Toups, and Hudson Toups.

OBITUARY

Joy Haydel Wagener

January 16, 1936 – July 9, 2025

Rabenhorst Funeral Home & Crematory

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