Joel Condon English

Joel was born the youngest of eight children in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 15, 1940, to August and Onelia Favlin Condon. She graduated from Holy Angels Academy. Most recently she was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Slidell, Louisiana.

After learning how to cook from her parents, Joel became a chef and headed up the kitchen at Mandich’s Restaurant for 33 years. Mandich’s was known by many as “The Galatoire’s of the 9th Ward.” As head chef, she received many accolades in the restaurant industry due to her perfect execution of every dish she served. Her hard work and dedication led to Mandich being featured in the September 1998 issue of New Orleans Magazine as well as other publications. John Besh was quoted in an article saying, “Mrs. English was one of the greatest New Orleans cooks that ever walked the streets.”

Post Katrina, Lloyd and Joel decided to retire after working side by side for 33 years. Joel missed the restaurant dearly, but this gave her the chance to focus on her favorite job of all, being a grandmother. She still spent most of her time in the kitchen, but this time with her family. She made sure that everyone who walked through her door was well fed, especially with her famous post-Christmas dinner “Grammy Sammie.”

Joel was loved by everyone because of her wonderful, sweet disposition and could warm anyone’s heart with her infectious smile. She was easily everyone’s favorite by being a beautiful woman inside and out. She will be dearly missed by her family, friends, many restaurant patrons, and anyone she crossed paths with.

She was preceded in death by her parents, August and Onelia Condon; siblings, Marguerite Crespo, Una Gelpi, Lois Blakewell, Elaine McKenna, and Joseph Condon; and her grandson, Rod Willhoft II.

Joel is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Lloyd A. English, Jr.; daughter, Leslie Willhoft (Rod); son, Erin English (Melissa); sister, Alva Navarre; brother, Raymond Condon; granddaughters, Yvette Porte (Josh), Alexis English, and Courtney Willhoft (Seth Floyd); great-grandchildren, Oliver Porte and Ezra Porte, and Baby Willhoft-Floyd due in December; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to give special thanks to Hospice of St. Tammany, Caretaker Crystal, and nurse Susan; nieces, Elle McCracken and Marguerite Marks; and friends, Amy and Troy Alexander.

Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Mrs. Joel’s wonderful life on Monday, July 20, 2026 at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Boulevard in New Orleans. Visitation will be from 10:00 in the morning until the Funeral Mass at 1:00 PM. Interment to follow after a walking procession to All Saints Mausoleum on the same grounds.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.