PEABODY - It is with great sadness announce Jo Ann L. "Mimi" Lawnsby, 88, of Peabody, passed away on July 20, 2025. She baked her last batch of cookies, washed the dishes, and turned off the kitchen light to go be with her beloved husband, William C. "Bill" Lawnsby.

Born in Brockton, MA, Jo Ann was the daughter of Myrtle E. Fisher and Frank E. "Red" Fisher. She attended Brockton Public Schools and, after graduating high school, she attended North Shore Babies Hospital in Salem, MA, and received her degree in Nursing. While attending nursing school, a friend set her up on a blind date, and in 1960, Jo Ann and Bill tied the knot. They moved to Anchorage, Alaska, when Bill was drafted into the Army.

Jo Ann worked as a pediatric nurse at the local hospital in Anchorage. After surviving the "Great Earthquake of '64" in Alaska Jo Ann returned to Massachusetts with Bill to start a family and made Peabody their home. Over the years, Jo Ann enjoyed bowling, knitting hats for newborns for the local hospitals, watching the Red Sox and The New England Patriots on TV. Jo Ann's true passion was baking. If there was a celebration, graduation, birthday, anniversary, or if she just liked you, she baked something. JoAnn lit up every room she entered and always had homemade baked goods in hand. Jo Ann had a love for animals both big and small, and will be missed by her Grandfur babies, whom she would spoil with pats and butt scratches and sneaks of chicken for Big Boi and Smole Bean and doggie ice cream for Winchester and Adonias.

Jo Ann left nursing after starting a family, and when she returned to the workforce, she worked various jobs. A cook, counter help, and retail. She happily retired from Marshalls and earned the "lifetime employee discount" in doing so. It was something she always joked about.

Surviving Jo Ann is her daughter, Barbara Leger and her husband, Joe of Peabody; her two granddaughters, Christa Leger of Haverhill and Sara "Squish" Leger of Wallingford, CT; many nieces, nephews and dear close friends. In addition to her parents and beloved husband, William C. "Bill" Lawnsby of Peabody, Jo Ann was predeceased by her newborn son, Brian Lawnsby; and her beloved cat, Angel.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to attend Jo Ann's funeral service, which will be held at O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) SALEM on Monday, July 28th at 12 (NOON). Her burial to follow in North Beverly Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held prior to the service from 10 A.M. to 12 (NOON). In lieu of flowers, donations in Jo Ann's memory may be made to Purrfect Match Cat Rescue at purrfectmatchcatrescue.org . To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.