Joan Marie Mansfield

Joan Marie Mansfield, age 89, passed away peacefully at her residence at SummerHouse Bay Cove Memory Care on Saturday, May 31, 2025.

She was born in New Haven, Connecticut on January 13, 1936 to George and Ellen DeScheen. Joan received a degree in Medical Technology and worked as a Medical Technologist until her marriage to John Mansfield Sr. Her husband was in the military and she loved being a military wife , traveling the world with John and their children. She volunteered as a Girl Scout Leader and with the Red Cross. After her husband’s retirement from the Air Force Joan worked as a librarian. She loved being able to see all the new books as they were released and being able to be one of the first to check them out. Joan enjoyed tent camping with her family of seven and cooking dinners over Sterno while camping. She and John ultimately moved on from tent camping to RVs and enjoyed taking grandkids camping with them, especially to Florida. In her later years Joan volunteered at St. Martin East Elementary Library where the children loved her. In retirement she enjoyed reading, puzzles, long walks with her faithful companion Ginger around the Cedar Grove community, and a nice glass of wine.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, John Mansfield Sr.; her parents, George and Ellen DeScheen; and her stepmother, Kathryn DeScheen.

Joan is survived by her five children, John (Melanie) Mansfield Jr, Cathy (Jimbo) Strayham, Karen (Curtis) Nielsen, Susan (Ben) Simpson, and Brian (Becky) Mansfield; her 13 grandchildren, Scott (Tara) Mansfield, Dallas (Ashley) Mansfield, Kyle (McLauren) Palmer, Brett (Hannah) Palmer, Kyle (Jamie) Strayham, Claire (Ross Bunnell) Nielsen, Tyler (Kolleen Mueller) Nielsen, Ben (Leslie) Simpson, Shana Broussard, Chad Simpson, Ashley (Scott) Seymour, Jessica (Shawn) Burton, and Kathryn (Hunter) O’Rourke; and her 19 great-grandchildren with 2 more on the way.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at SummerHouse Bay Cove Memory Care and the nurses of Notre Dame Hospice, especially Rebecca and Jo, for their exceptional care of our mother.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Notre Dame Hospice.

A Graveside Service will take place on Monday, June 9, 2025 at 10:00 am at Biloxi National Cemetery.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Joan Marie Mansfield.