JoAnn Lassen

JoAnn Passey Lassen, 99, passed away peacefully on December 21, 2024, after a courageous battle with declining health during the last year.

JoAnn was born on July 23, 1925, in Selma, CA, to Joseph Leo Sweeney and Viola Clarice Sweeney.  She grew up in San Jose, CA, where she started piano lessons at the early age of five.  After high school JoAnn attended Mills College located in Oakland and in 1946 earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music.  Immediately after graduation she married James Martin Passey at a beautiful ceremony and reception in San Jose, CA.  In the blink of an eye JoAnn was transplanted from her California life to start a new chapter with Jim, where he lived in Mesa, Arizona.  She quickly made new friends and eventually found herself raising five children.  JoAnn was dedicated to her family and worked tirelessly in support of her children.

The 1970's brought numerous elements of change in JoAnn's life.  She and Jim divorced, she went to work as a secretary for a local attorney, and through mutual friends met an attorney, Robert Jackson, from Kansas City, Missouri.  JoAnn and Bob married, and she moved to Kansas City.  Nine years later Bob lost his life to cancer.  The Jackson family remains close to JoAnn, or JJ, as they fondly refer to her.

Visits home to Mesa from Kansas City brought about a reconnection with a widowed, retired veterinarian, Keith Lassen, who JoAnn had known from her original years living in Mesa.  In 1982 JoAnn and Keith married and shared wonderful years together with his grown children and their families, another acquired family for JoAnn.  Together they traveled extensively around the globe.  Keith suddenly passed in 1999, yet the Lassen family still holds JoAnn as a treasured part of their family.

JoAnn was a lifetime member of the Desert Club of Mesa, belonged to PEO, was a golfer at Mesa Country Club, and a very competent bridge player.  Thanks to her son, Bill, JoAnn refined her piano skills in the early 2000's and later recorded two different CDs of her favorite classical piano music at the Musical Instrument Museum in Scottsdale.  JoAnn will be remembered as an extremely genuine and kind person, someone who cared more about others and did not boast on her abilities or accomplishments.

JoAnn will be deeply missed by her family and friends.  She is survived by her children:  Jim Passey (Donna), Bill Passey (Maria Silva), David Passey (Linda), Larry Passey, and Joan Gosney (Bill); the Kansas City Jackson family; the Phoenix Lassen family; and lots of loving grandchildren.  All of us cherish the love and wisdom she shared during her life.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 1st at 10am at Mesa Country Club.  Please join family and friends in commemorating JoAnn's life and sharing cherished memories.  All who wish to attend are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to:

Hospice of the Valley

1510 E. Flower St.

Phoenix AZ 85014