Heaven has gained a new angel. JoAnne Lazo, 74, Sister, Mother, ‘Emma’, and friend to all died peacefully on June 19th, 2017 surrounded by family. She was born on Feb 5th, 1943 in Glens Falls, New York. Through traumatic beginnings, she learned boundless empathy. She vowed to help others in need and create a new legacy for her family and did so when she met her love, Perry Lazo. Those within hugging distance knew JoAnne as a bright light, a warm embrace and a caring listener with an infectious laugh. Her perfect day was the sight of her family all together, laughing and joking, while she sat with eyes closed on her favorite bench soaking up the warm sun to the backdrop of her windchimes amplifying the summer breeze. To her, family was everything and moments were meant to be cherished. She was a loyal friend, a dreamer that loved the ‘could you imagine’ conversations, enjoyed a great adventure, and a tireless fighter to the end. Her smiling eyes made it near impossible to be in a bad mood or keep a straight face around her. Her gentle approach and curiosity made it near impossible to keep a secret around her. She was a youthful soul with an endless appetite for laughter. Her family finds peace knowing that she has reunited with her beloved ‘Rosebud’ and is now cherishing her family’s moments from a much higher view. She is survived by her children: Vickie, Kathy, Nick, and Zack, her grandchildren: Alex, Jackson, Clay, Ava, Camila, Ben and Sienna and her siblings: Jim, Jill, Jack, and Jane. Preceeded in death by infant twin sons, James and Robert. Viewing, rosary, and a gathering of family and friends will be held at Piper Morley Funeral Home, 5436 S Puget Sound Ave from 4-7 pm Monday, June 26, 2017. Funeral Mass will be held 11 am Tuesday, June 27, at St Patrick’s Church followed by a reception, 1001 N J St, Tacoma, WA 98403. Burial services to follow reception at Calvary Cemetery, 5212 70th St W, Tacoma, WA 98467. Remembrances may be made to: Franciscan Hospice House, 2901 Bridgeport Way W, University Place, WA 98466 and Alzheimer’s Association, act.alz.org