FEBRUARY 27, 1959 – JANUARY 20, 2024
Joanne Natsios Kazanjian was a loving, devoted and adored wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend and a true gift to the world. She passed away peacefully at her home in Stuart, Florida on January 20, 2024 at the age of 64.
Joanne fought a courageous battle with a long time illness, which was reflective of the inner strength she possessed throughout her life. The abundance of love she gave out to the world was shared by so many who knew her and loved her equally.
Born on February 27, 1959, Joanne grew up in Dracut, Massachusetts, the fourth oldest child of Catherine and Anthony Natsios. She graduated from Dracut High School and then attended classes at Northern Essex Community College in Essex County, Massachusetts.
She met her husband, John Kazanjian, in the fourth grade and they would have celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary in May. Joanne and John moved to Palm Beach County, Florida where they raised their family. After moving to Florida, Joanne first worked as a cafeteria manager in the Palm Beach County School District. She then worked as an office assistant with the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association. She was a very loving and caring presence within the PBA office at all times and always there to lend a helping hand to anyone that needed assistance, especially law enforcement officers and their families.
After the tragic death of her daughter Kaitlin, at the age of 16, Joanne and her husband John, turned their grief into purpose, by forming the Kaitlin A. Kazanjian Memorial Scholarship Fund, which raises money every year to support local charities that provide scholarships and other forms of assistance to deserving children in both Massachusetts and Florida. For over 20 years, the Kaitlin Kazanjian Memorial Scholarship Fund has raised over $5 million thanks to the unyielding dedication of Joanne and John Kazanjian.
In addition to her work at the Palm Beach County PBA and the Kaitlin A. Kazanjian Memorial Scholarship Fund, Joanne was a vibrant woman who lived her life to the fullest. She enjoyed traveling, cruising with her family, photography, and riding her bike.
She is survived by her husband John Kazanjian, the president of the Florida PBA and the Palm Beach County PBA; her son, John Kazanjian II and his wife, Kelly; her daughter Kristen Lassinger, and her husband, Jordan; her grandchildren Jaxon, Jake, Kora and Knox; her sister Sandra Graham, and her husband Andrew; her brother Chris Natsios and his fiancée Debra Michaels; her brothers Tony Natsios and John Natsios; her brother in-law Randy Davis; her mother in-law, Marguerite Kazanjian; her brother in-law Alan Kazanjian, his wife Sue-Ellen; her brother in-law Michael Kazanjian, his wife Denise; her sister in-law Marybeth Kazanjian, and her fiancée TJ McCarthy; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter Kaitlin, her parents Catherine and Anthony Natsios, and her sister, Olga Davis.
Online condolences and expressions of sympathy can be made by visiting martin-funeral.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kaitlin A. Kazanjian Memorial Scholarship Fund located at 2100 N. Florida Mango Road West Palm Beach, Florida 33409.
The viewing will be held on January 23rd from 2pm-4pm at the Martin Funeral Home located at 961 South Kanner Highway, Stuart, Florida 34994. The Wake will be held on January 26th from 4pm-8pm at the Dracut Funeral Home located at 2159 Lakeview Avenue, Dracut, MA 01826. Funeral services will take place on January 27th at 10:00am at The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, located at 62 Lewis Street in Lowell, MA.
