Rhonda Marie LaBorde Johnson

Rhonda Marie Laborde Johnson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and was a lifelong resident of River Ridge. She left this world, unexpectedly, to join her loved ones in Heaven on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, just shy of her 72nd birthday. Her life was one filled with faith. She embodied kindness, compassion, and generosity, and her passing has left us heartbroken. Rhonda graduated from St. Matthew the Apostle School in 1965 and Archbishop Chapelle High School in 1969. She married the love of her life, Nicky, on October 2, 1971. Together, they provided a fabulous life for their daughter, Christy. Before retiring in 2019, Rhonda had a successful administrative career at Winn-Dixie and then the Archdiocese of New Orleans. In her giving spirit, she selflessly took a break from her career to care for her sister who was battling cancer. More recently, she provided the best care and friendship to her Mom, who referred to Rhonda as her “rock” before passing away in 2021. Rhonda never missed an event in her grandson Gavin’s life; she particularly enjoyed spending time in the bleachers watching him pitch for the Brother Martin baseball team, and she was so proud to watch him sign this past May to play for Spring Hill; no doubt she will be watching over him for his collegiate games. Rhonda loved a Mardi Gras parade. For the past 20+ years, she loved playing Pokeno with her Pokeno girls. She enjoyed traveling with Nicky and family, shopping, reading, and spending time on her front porch with Nicky, their pets, and their neighbors. She was a great cook (except when it came to rice, but she had come to accept this) and had stellar dance moves (that were not at all embarrassing). She was the life of our family get-togethers. Rhonda is preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Bertha Laborde; her sister, Carleen L. Hughes; her brother, Don Laborde, and his son, Jacob; and numerous beloved aunts, uncles, pets, in-laws, and extended family. Rhonda is survived by her husband of 52 years, Nicky Doyle Johnson; her daughter and son-in-law, Christy and Kelvin Simeon; her grandson, Gavin Simeon; her dog, Ace, and cat, Cakes; her niece and nephew-in-law, Alexis and Jonathan Fox; her nephew and niece-in-law, Don and Kelly Laborde; and numerous other nieces, nephews, in-laws, long-term best girlfriends, and other relatives and loved ones. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service at L. A. Muhleisen and Son Funeral Home, 2607 Williams Blvd., Kenner on Thursday, November 2, 2023. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with the Funeral Mass to immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. Interment in Jefferson Memorial Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider reading a book in Rhonda’s memory, singing “Ave Maria” (even if out of tune), or donating in Rhonda’s name to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (https://www.lbda.org/donate/). Special thanks to all who have provided love and support to the family in this difficult time.

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Rhonda Marie LaBorde Johnson

November 7, 1951 - October 31, 2023