Obituary
In 2013 when doctors told JoAnne Persons she has stage four cancer and about 2 years to live,
the 64-year old wife, mother, grandmother and career retail manager replied instinctively, “I just
have don’t time for that”. The spontaneous reaction to her oncologist spoke volumes about
JoAnne’s calm, confident and tough-as-nails “can do” attitude that she had exhibited toward life
and how she always lived it. On June 3, 2022, after nearly nine years of happily and productively
disproving the diagnosis wrong, JoAnne passed away with her husband 0f 48 years Todd
Persons, son Andrew and daughter Amanda by her side at their Maitland home. She had
continued her career as Assistant Cosmetic Manager at Neiman Marcus Orlando, traveled,
visited children and grandchildren, was involved in Orlando’s Arts community, and even was part
of an Advent Healthcare cancer survivor marketing campaign.
Born in State College, PA to Dr. Harold and Phyllis Kaiser, JoAnne graduated from Penn State
University with a degree in merchandise management, moved to New York City where she
became the youngest fashion buyer for upscale department chain Bonwit Teller at the age of
22. After meeting her husband to be at the wedding of a mutual friend in Orlando, JoAnne
moved to the City Beautiful in 1975 and married Todd, a TV journalist at the time. During the
ensuing years, the couple raised their two children, and JoAnne continued her retail career as a
buyer and manager with companies like Burdines, Jacobsons, Saks Fifth Ave and Neiman
Marcus.
JoAnne was active with the Orlando Museum of Art as a member of the museum’s fund raising
arm Council of 101. She and the family spent relaxing time at the beach and at their condo in
Beech Mountain, North Carolina. She was a doting grandmother to Andrew’s children Ella and
Everett and to the children and grandchildren of Todd’s sons Rob and David Persons, Todd’s
children from a previous marriage.
JoAnne is survived by her husband Todd, their son Andrew Persons and wife Laura,
grandchildren Ella and Everett, of Gainesville, FL; their daughter Amanda and her partner
Matthew McFarling of Chicago, IL; sister Barbara Swanson, her husband Thomas “Skip” and
their children Christopher and Ben, Charlotte, NC; sister Denise Kaiser, Chicago, IL; Stepson
Rob Persons, wife Vicki and children Courtney and Christopher, of Casselberry, Fl; Stepson
David Persons, wife Melissa and children Daniel, Brian, Molly and Abby of Deerfield, MA., and
special friends Sarah Powell, Maitland, and Dr. Dan Tressler and wife Terrie of Kalispell, MT.
Private graveside services will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Orlando on Saturday, June
11, with a celebration of life for friends and family planned for early Fall in Orlando.
Baldwin Brothers Funeral Home in Winter Park is handling funeral arrangements.
Donations in JoAnne’s name can be made to the Persons Finish Line Scholarship at Advent
Healthcare University to benefit graduating nursing students. Here is the link to donate
We recently learned of your beloved Jo Anne's passing. We're so very sorry for your loss, our loss, the community's loss. She was an amazing force of positivity, kindness and grace. We will treasure the memories of her thoughtful holiday cards and days long ago. Thank you for sharing her with us. Our deepest sympathies to you all.
In loving memory,
The Jones Family (Donna, Brian, Hunter)
Reminiscing about our wonderful years with Joanne at Jacobson’s and again at Annabelle’s. Thinking of you and your family.
Love and Prayers, Shirley and Gayle
Prayers to you and your family …Shirley and Gayle. …