Joan Helene St. Louis

Joan Helene St. Louis passed away in her sleep at her home in Morganton, NC on January 29, 2010. She was born April 21, 1928 in Buffalo, New York. She was preceded by her parents Rudolph Wenke and Helen Kittleman Wenke, and her son Michael Myles. She is survived by her siblings Lois Zach, Donald Wenke, and Susan Warfle. In addition, she is survived by her husband of 50 years, Ernest E. St. Louis of the home. She will be missed by her children: son, Michael Myles (deceased) and wife Judy; daughter, Jackie St. Louis and husband Doug; son, James Myles and wife Alice; son, Daniel St. Louis and wife Sandra; daughter, Karen Young and husband Rob, and daughter, Toni Deal and husband Kirk. She is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Michelle Brown and husband P.J., Kelly Gibson, Bryan Myles and wife Dandy, Kevin Myles, Jonathan Myles and Noelle, James Myles and wife Chrise, Matthew St. Louis, David St. Louis and wife Hilary, Benjamin St. Louis, Steven St. Louis, Jennifer Chang and husband Rick, Margaret Buchanan, Patrick Jenkins, Heather Deal, Eli Myles, Joshua Gibson, Grace Myles, and James Myles.Joan lived a full and active life as a loving wife of 50 years and dedicated mother to six children and grandmother to twenty three. She and her husband Ernie enjoyed life to the fullest and relished time spent traveling with family and friends. After enjoying fun-filled years living at Fripp Island, South Carolina, Joan moved back to Morganton, North Carolina with Ernie. They also treasured spending time at their mountain home in Seven Devils, North Carolina. She was an avid golfer and was a member of both Mimosa Hills and Blowing Rock Country Clubs. She was also an accomplished gardener, impressive dancer, and skillful Bridge player. Joan enjoyed improving the Seven Devils Resort Club, and her dedication to the landscape design there leaves a lasting tribute. Throughout her life, she was very active and was involved in many activities, some of which included Red Cross Lifesaving Instructor, Girl Scout Leader, collaborator on Seven Devils Cookbook, and mountain trail hiker. She was also an excellent cook who dared to try new dishes and always succeeded in making them delicious. Joan and her talents will be missed greatly, but she will continue to live on through her loving children and grandchildren.A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at noon on Saturday, February 20th, 2010 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 728 West Union Street, Morganton, NC 28655. The family will receive friends after the memorial in the church hall. Also, a special memorial ceremony will be scheduled in June for family and friends at Seven Devils, NC at a date and time to be determined.In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, (800) 4-CANCER, or Burke Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690, (828) 879-1601. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.