Joan Elizabeth Madigan
Joan Elizabeth Madigan, 94, of Beaumont, Texas, passed away peacefully, Sunday, May 19, 2024. She was born on June 19, 1929, to May Elizabeth Norton Stevenson and Merile Stevenson, in West Virginia.
Joan comes from a proud military family and moved throughout the country during her early life. After attending San Diego State College, Joan worked as an Airline Hostess for Braniff International Airways from 1950-1956. She loved the life-long friendships she made and the many travels she experienced with Braniff. Later in life, Joan became an active member of the “Clipped B’s,” an organization formed by former Braniff flight attendants. Joan attended yearly national Clipped B’s conventions and took numerous international trips with her beloved friends from the alumni group.
Joan met her future husband, Hugh Madigan, in Dallas, Texas through mutual friends. The couple married on Valentine’s Day 1956. Shortly after they married, Joan and Hugh moved to Nashville, Tennessee to start their family together. Their children Jody, Mary, Pat, and Ann were all born in Nashville. In 1964, the young family moved to Beaumont where the baby of the family, Mike, was born. Sadly, Hugh passed away suddenly and unexpectantly in 1971. Joan did an incredible job of raising their five children on her own. She was a very strong, independent, determined, and resilient woman.
After retiring from American Real Estate, Joan became an active volunteer in the Beaumont community. She served as a volunteer with CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital for seventeen years. She also spent many years as a docent with the McFaddin-Ward House. Joan served in many leadership positions in the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and participated in the local chapter of the Herb Society of America and The Colonial Dames of America.
In her free time amidst her busy volunteering schedule, she enjoyed seeing the Symphony of Southeast Texas with her “sister friend” of 50+ years, Barbara Warren. Joan was a voracious reader, checking out a stack of books from the RC Miller Memorial Library each week. In recent years, she enjoyed playing cards and bingo with her many friends at Buckner Calder Woods.
Joan had a wonderful sense of humor and was incredibly quick-witted. We loved hearing and will miss her contagious laughter.
Survivors include: her son, Hugh Joseph “Jody” Madigan and his wife, Monserrat, of Houston, Texas; her daughter, Mary DeMent and her husband, Crit, of Opelika, Alabama; her daughter-in-law, Erin Madigan of Beaumont, Texas; her daughter, Ann Holland and her husband, Wayne, of Beaumont, Texas; her son, Michael Madigan of Temple, Texas; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Joan is preceded in death by her husband, Hugh; her son, Patrick Madigan; her sisters, Mary Edna Walker and Frances Louise Karkut; her brother, Merile Stevenson, Jr.; and her parents.
Memorial contributions may be made to an organization of your choice.
A memorial service for Mrs. Madigan will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, May 26, 2024, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.
Memorial Service
Broussard’s Mortuary Major Dr.
- 1605, North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas, 77713,
- May 26, 2024
- 2:00 pm
Such a sweet sweet lady, will certainly miss our visits at Calderwoods.
Prayers for the family
Syble Jeffcoat NSDAR
Ann, I was so saddened to hear of Joan’s passing. She was such a dear friend and we had so much fun working together in DAR and as fellow docents at the McFaddin Ward House. After my returning to Houston, we kept in touch with long conversations about Beaumont’s happenings, and what to read and which programs to watch. We never visited before noon. Joan was a night owl and I am an early bird and thats how we greeted each other on the phone.
Gloria Ayres
I am so sorry for your families loss. Your Mom was one of our Devon Moms growing up. She was a true hero to your family after your Dad passed and left a beautiful legacy with her life. Please accept my deepest condolences to you all.
Mary Wilsford
Ann, I am sorry to hear about your mom. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Love, Jennifer
I am so sorry for your loss of such a selfless mother. May she rest in peace.
Ann and Wayne – I am truly sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers for you and your Family.
Will Leonard
Dear Jody,
My heart goes out to you. What a remarkable Mom! I want you to know that there are many from your past that mourn with you, and I am included among them. What a great job she did raising her funny and kind son! Wish I could ease your loss; just remember to breathe among all those around you that loved your Mom and your family. I send you love and peace.
Love, Renée
I met Joan as a volunteer at St.E she trained me at the information desk , Joan was so much fun and I am blessed to have known her.
Linda Ferrell
Dear Joan was a wonderful volunteer at St. E andI loved working with her for 11 years. Her delightful personality kept all of us laughing, particularly with the story of how she left the grocery store with most of you but left one behind in the shopping cart. That warranted a quick drive back where he patiently was still sitting! It was a blessing to know her and please be comforted by happy memories and the prayers of her friends.
Mary Beth Cloninger
Former Volunteer Services Director, St. E
Jody,
I am so sorry to about the loss of your Mom. I know how difficult it is to lose a parent. You and your entire family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Such a life well-lived. May she rest in peace.
I am so sorry for your loss. Sister Sue saw Mike’s post on Facebook and the Michigan Madigan’s have been retelling stories of the beautiful Joan and Hugh all morning. Joan was always a knockout. I became a flight attendant because Joan was one, and I wanted to be beautiful and graceful like Joan. They were such a handsome couple and loved you all so much. I have a wonderful visual of heaven. It’s a big wedding (all of ours are BIG) and there’s one table where all our handsome aunts uncles and greats sit. They are all in their best dress, laughing and “lying to each other” as my Dad would say. The women with their red lipstick and huge smiles. I see Joan at the table, next to Uncle Huey. Thanks for that visual❤️. Thinking of you all and how lucky you were to have her for so long.
Outstanding person active in her community a real contribution ♡♡
Ann & family, I’m sorry to learn of the passing of your mother. Blessings to all of you during these very difficult days.
David O’Brien
I am so sorry for yours and your family’s loss.