Joanne Kayser died unexpectedly at her home on February 18 at the age of 78. It is hard to say goodbye to such a strong-willed, generous, and independent woman whose voice resonated so powerfully with everyone who knew her.

Born and raised in Laconia, NH to Albert and Priscilla Mazzaschi, Joanne was the oldest of seven children. Joanne loved listening to classical music and learning; she began every day with the New York Times, completing the crossword puzzle before evening. She was a voracious reader, and if you mentioned wanting a book, chances were it would end up on your doorstep the next day. Although she withdrew from the University of New Hampshire to start a family, one of Joanne’s proudest accomplishments was returning to complete her degree, even while caring for six young children.

She spent thirty years dedicated to a career in public service working for the NH Department of Employment Security, advocating for the disadvantaged and helping those in need. Each morning she left the house before anyone else was awake, and at night she would help with homework. Sundays were spent cooking so that there would be hot meals for the week.

After retirement, she relocated to Amherst and devoted her time to her grandkids—instilling in them a love of reading and spoiling them with fast food. Joanne was a passionate woman with lots of opinions, and she was happy to share them. She freely told family and strangers alike what they were doing right AND wrong. Several of her twelve grandchildren recall hitting the car floor as “Nana” would roll down her window to yell at bike riders for not wearing helmets. Yet, she knit mittens, hats, and scarves for more children, spouses, grandchildren, and friends than could be counted. She would sew a Halloween costume with a day’s notice. She continued to cook for this new generation, and she never forgot a birthday. If only there could be just one more family celebration, even if it involved another argument about an upcoming election—it would be worth it.

Joanne is survived by her children Cris, Kim, Karin, Ken, Carolyn, and Amy; her grandchildren Alyssa, Katherine, Noah, and Eli Kayser-Hirsh, Tori and Lexi Ekonomy, Jacob and Cassie Kayser, Truman and Sebastian Colby, and Chloe and Maya Phelan; and her siblings Janice Wike, Mike Mazzaschi, Ann Grandmaison, Tony Mazzaschi, Steve Mazzaschi, and Candace Bold.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 9 in Amherst with details to follow. Joanne would be grateful for donations in her name to Family Outreach of Amherst or Planned Parenthood.