JOAN M. BOUDREAU

BOUDREAU JOAN MARIE BOUDREAU Joan Marie Boudreau, 80, passed away Monday, October 5, 2015, peacefully, with her family at her side. Born to Madeline and John Sprenke December 28, 1934 in St. Louis, MO, she was the eldest of five children: Carol (Jack) Appelbaum, Lois (Dave) Herries, James (Susan) Sprenke and Kenneth (Leslie) Sprenke. Joan attended St. Elizabeth's Academy in St. Louis, MO. She received a bachelor's degree in psychology from George Mason University in 1977, where she continued graduate studies. She began her career with Anheuser Busch, serving as a secretary to the Executive Offices. Both striking and gracious, Joan represented the company as Miss Budweiser in 1956. Through the 1980's, she was the floral designer for Bloomingdale's Tyson's Corner, where her eye for bold style and her engaging demeanor grew that department's performance to best in the chain after New York's 57th Street. She retired as manager of the U.S. National Arboretum Gift Shop in the early 2000's. A floral designer, horticulturalist and admirer of nature's beautiful forms, Joan was an active leader in the National Capital Area Garden Clubs for more than 45 years; serving as master flower show judge, president Camelot and Beverly Hills Garden Clubs, and president Landscape Design Council. Her award-winning floral designs were shared with countless Washington area newlyweds whose wedding ceremonies she volunteered to beautify with fresh floral arrangements. Her civic commitment seemed to have no end as she was active in her church religious formation and tutored English to Afghani immigrants. Joan was the loving mother of four, grandmother of eleven, and great-grandmother. She is remembered lovingly by her friends and family as effusive and charismatic with a welcoming smile who could engage nearly anyone in vivacious conversation. Known as a gracious hostess and no-dish-too-strange gourmet cook - her gatherings of friends and family were eagerly anticipated. Her grandchildren remember her as a 'delicate flower' with a habit of spoiling them at every opportunity. Joan's generosity of spirit was extended to her dog, Zou Zou, to whom she shamelessly (and nightly) fed martini-soaked olive followed by ice cream. She is survived by her devoted husband of 56 years, Francis Cowgill Boudreau, her children Carol (Mike) Perovich, Jeff (Susan) Boudreau, Jennifer (Mike) Skarda and Mark (Leah) Boudreau, her grandchildren Lauren Perovich, Anneliese (Jeffrey) Miller, Joseph Perovich, Daniel Perovich, Jack Boudreau, Claire Boudreau, James Boudreau, Langdon Skarda, Elise Skarda, Henry Boudreau and Maxwell Boudreau, and great-granddaughter Madeline Miller. A celebration mass of Joan's life will be held October 15 at 11 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Alexandria, Va. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: The National Capital Area Garden Clubs Scholarship Fund and The American Horticultural Society.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: The National Capital Area Garden Clubs Scholarship Fund and The American Horticultural Society.