Joanne (Kirchgassner) Giroir, loving wife, mother and active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been taken by the Lord to share in the joy of his eternal kingdom. A longtime resident of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, Joanne passed away on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at the age of 75.  She will be remembered by her family as a loving wife, mother and friend.  

Joanne was preceded in death by husband, Jerry McDowell Sr., and parents, Ivy Bannister Kirchgassner and Elizabeth Garnetta Kirchgassner.

Joanne is survived by her loving husband of 36 years, Andrew Donald Giroir. She is also survived by her sister, May Kirchgassner Cox; four children, Jerry McDowell and wife Kaye, Benny McDowell and wife Holly, Debbie Barrett Gooch, and Kathleen Bourgeois; three step children, Kevin Giroir and wife Rochelle, David Giroir, and  Jennifer Hart; 11 grandchildren, Heather McDowell Price and husband Tommy, Tiffany Barrett Berard and husband Tye, Justin Barrett, Lauren McDowell Munch and husband Jay, Megan Billiot Dehnel and husband Jeremy, Madison Billiot, Kevin Giroir Jr., David Charles Giroir, Riley, Ashton and Caden Hart; and 3 great grandchildren, Braylee and Adalynn Berard, and Hadleigh Brooke Munch.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Visitation at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, 2000 Morrison Blvd, Hammond, Louisiana 70401 on Monday, September 11, 2017 from 10:00 am until the Memorial Service begins at 11:00 am.  Joanne will be privately placed at Jefferson Memorial Gardens in St. Rose, Louisiana.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity to extend the love and compassion of Jesus to your fellow brothers and sisters.

An on-line guest book is available at www.harrymckneely.com.