Joy Maria Boudreaux van Meerveld

Joy Maria Boudreaux van Meerveld, born October 31, 1931, in New Orleans, Louisiana, died May 28, 2025, age 93. Predeceased by her parents, Joseph Boudreaux and Mary Ellen Crosby Boudreaux, her brother, Joseph Boudreaux, and her daughter, Karen van Meerveld Davis. Survived by her husband, Jan van Meerveld; children Kristen van Meerveld; Janis van Meerveld (Charles Cerise) and Jan van Meerveld IV (Dacia); grandchildren Alexander Davis, Ryan Davis, Kaitlen Davis, Andrew Cerise, Robert Cerise, and Valen van Meerveld; and great grandchildren Charlie Karen, Julien, and Wyatt Davis.

 A New Orleans native, Joy was happily single, working as a secretary for Freeport Sulphur, and living in the French Quarter in 1970 when, tall, blonde and fabulous, she met a very handsome recently widowed Dutch businessman, Jan van Meerveld, who was temporarily living in New Orleans and working for Standard Fruit and Steamship Company. They married in 1971, and promptly moved to Brussels, Belgium, along with Jan’s three young daughters, Karen, Kristen, and Janis. Joy immediately became “Mom” to the girls who were also delighted when she presented them with a brother in 1972, Jan IV. Their stint in Brussels was intended to last 3-5 years, but they stayed for almost 25 years. Joy thrived there, taking care of her husband and four children, becoming a gourmet cook, learning French, frequenting antiques markets and fine restaurants, poking around countless Belgian towns on delightful Sunday drives, and traveling all over the world. 

Jan eventually retired and at Joy’s request, they returned to live in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where she again set up a full and enriching life, replete with friends, clubs, regular card games, outings, dinners, and parties. Joy loved the Pass and developed an extensive network of wonderful friends who remained loyal and devoted to the end, and for whom the family is very grateful. We are also deeply indebted to the dedicated and caring group of sitters who made it possible for Joy to live out her final years at home.

Life in the Pass also included frequent family visits from children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, sometimes to attend “Camp Grandma,” famous for fun activities and very few rules. And the family continued to travel internationally each year until very recently, bringing multiple generations to many exotic destinations. 

Joy was an accomplished artist, working in many mediums—sculpture, oils, decorative painting, but especially watercolors. She exhibited on numerous occasions and won prizes. She was a straight talker who you could count on to give you an honest opinion, even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear. People were drawn to her for her candor and wry sense of humor, and because her conversational skills and advice were as excellent as her cooking. She will be missed.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, Long Beach, is serving the family.