Joanne R. Slauter

Joanna Slauter, 87, of Methuen, MA, passed away peacefully at her home after a long-fought battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Born and raised in Lawrence, MA, she graduated from Lawrence High in 1952 and attended Macintosh Business School and Burrows Business School in Boston. Joanna married her high school sweetheart, George, in which they shared 47 years. They had two children, Robert, and Lauren. Joanna worked as an administrative assistant for an investment firm in Boston, and a bookkeeper at Wonder Bread. She was also employed as an analysis clerk at Baystate Merchant Bank, and finally at Malden Mills in Lawrence, where she worked for over 20 years as receptionist and telephone operator.

Joanna is predeceased by her husband, George; son, Robert; and son-in-law, Eric Worthen. She leaves her daughter, Lauren Miller, her husband Scott of Methuen and their son John; daughter-in-law, Susan Worthen of Methuen, who is predeceased by husband Robert Slauter. She will also be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Darcy Slauter Worthen, David Minichino and wife Tanya, Kristy Jackson, Kelsey Barber and husband Brad, and John Jackson; as well as nine great-grandchildren: Aiden, Liam, Madison, Cam, Grace, Declan, Mason, Olivia, Jordyn; and many nieces and nephews and their families.

She cherished the time she was able to spend caring for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, most of all the little ones. Joanne loved to visit the beach with her grandchildren, especially her son Bobby’s daughter, Darcy. She retired early to take care of her youngest grandson, John, whose accomplishments as a published author and illustrator of two children’s books, and a motivational speaker inspiring others made her an extremely proud Grammy. She also beamed with pride at how he was able to overcome the many obstacles that he’d faced having Autism.

Joanna was most known for her beautiful smile, warmth, kindness, and intellect, her love of fashion, green thumb, and famous chocolate chip cookies. Shopping with her daughter made her happy and she loved her son-in-law, Scott’s meatloaf and other culinary delights. In her later years, after losing her husband, her best friend and cousin, Mary, who also lost hers, became her plus 1. The two went on many trips, especially to Maine and Foxwoods and always played Scrabble. Sadly, Mary passed shortly after. Joanna has touched many lives and she will be missed.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend calling hours on Saturday, September 2, 2023, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley Street, Methuen. A funeral service will take place in the funeral home chapel at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at the Lithuanian National Catholic Cemetery, 143 N. Lowell Street, Methuen.