Joan Faust

1955 - 2022

Joan de la Bretonne Faust, of Mandeville, LA, passed away on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at the age of 67. She was a beloved wife, mother, and friend, as well as a lifelong teacher and scholar. Joan was born in Houma, LA, where she attended Vanderbilt High School. She received her B.A. in French Education with a minor in English at Nicholls State University, followed by her M.A. in English at Louisiana State University. She taught French and English at Archbishop Chapelle High School for eight years before returning to LSU to earn her Ph.D. in 1992. She spent 30 years as a Professor of English at Southeastern Louisiana University, where she shared her love of the written word with countless students. She was deeply involved with The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, including serving as Chapter President. She published extensively on 16th and 17th century English literature, and authored the book Andrew Marvell's Liminal Lyrics, which was published by University of Delaware Press. She was an active member of the Andrew Marvell Society, the Renaissance Society of America, the South-Central Renaissance Conference, and the John Donne Society, for which she served as a member of the Executive Board. Joan was very strong in her Catholic faith, and gave selflessly of her time and talents volunteering at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Mandeville for the Music Ministry, the Stewardship Committee, the Festival of the Lake, the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, the Homebound Ministry, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. She was awarded the Order of Saint Louis in 2005 for her leadership and service to the church. She is survived by her husband, Mark Faust; her children, Joseph Faust (Carissa), Katherine Faust Stryjewski (Tomasz), and Alison Faust McDaniel (Justin); her grandsons Mark Sebastian Faust, Griffin Faust, Luke Stryjewski, and Liam McDaniel; and her sister, Mary Jane de la Bretonne. She is preceded in death by her parents, Archibald de la Bretonne and Marjorie Trahan de la Bretonne, and her brother Thomas de la Bretonne. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, November 26 at 12:00 pm at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church at 312 Lafitte Street in Mandeville, LA, with visitation beginning at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Joan Faust Memorial Fund, Southeastern Foundation, SLU 10703, Hammond, LA 70402, to establish a Phi Kappa Phi scholarship fund in Joan's name. Contributions may also be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Our Lady of the Lake Parish, to support their ministry to the poor. "One short sleep past, we wake eternally / And death shall be no more" – John Donne.