JoAnn Marie Lebon

JoAnn Marie (Hutchins) Lebon was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island on April 30th, 1955, to Laurette and Donald Hutchins, the second of six children. She was a bright student and loving sister who often took care of her younger siblings while their mother worked long hours. In high school, while working as a coat-check in her uncle’s restaurant, JoAnn was introduced to Rene Lebon who, admittedly, “won the lottery” when she agreed to go on a first date. Rene and JoAnn were married in 1974 and were active members of their Catholic faith community. In 1978 they welcomed their first child, Danielle, and five years later, Rebecca joined the family. The Lebons moved to St. Augustine in 1988 where life was warm, simple, and sweet. There, JoAnn found endless joy being a stay-at-home mom to her two girls. She lovingly sewed every Halloween costume and prom dress, offered any friend or family member who walked through the door a fresh cup of coffee and a listening ear. She hosted spaghetti dinners, prayer meetings, and countless pool-side gatherings. JoAnn radiated warmth and love and their small family home became the heart of their ever-expanding family. But you couldn’t let that quiet, sweet demeanor fool you. JoAnn’s infectious laughter followed even the lewdest joke and she could steal your hand in a game of Pitch without batting an eye. She loved BBC period dramas, a good glass of rose’, and Tom Brady. From laying pavers to sewing dresses for her granddaughters, JoAnn was meticulous in everything she did; including her education and eventually her career. JoAnn went back to school when her girls were grown and graduated with a 4.0. She went on to love and excel at her work as an inpatient medical coder at Mayo Clinic for nine years before becoming a patient there herself. But JoAnn’s greatest joy was just being with her husband Rene, their children, and their families - who were also her greatest accomplishments. She had a special relationship with each of her nine grandchildren whom she loved as “big as the whole universe.” JoAnn Lebon, also affectionately known as “JoJo,” “Auntie Jo” “Mimi,” “JoAnny,” and “SlowAnn,” was a person of great but quiet faith. She exemplified this best in her daily life; in her authenticity, humility, humor, and grace. How she loved all who entered her home. How she embraced new experiences and found joy in simple things. How even when her body was failing her, she was grateful for every extra minute she was given. JoAnn passed away while holding her husband Rene's hand on Friday, June 2nd after a 3-year battle with ovarian cancer. She is preceded in death by her parents Laurette Archambault and Donald Hutchins and her in-laws Georgette and Raymond Lebon. Her husband and best friend, Rene Lebon, will continue their tradition of family dinners with daughter Danielle Whitehouse and her husband James Whitehouse and their children Rachel, Thomas, Katie, Ana, and Mathew Whitehouse; and Rebecca Lebon Rossetti and and Leandro Rossetti, along with their children Vera, Sebastian, Delfina, and Penny Rossetti. She will be missed by her beloved siblings Diane, David, Debbie, Denise, and Leo as well as her brothers and sisters-in-law Dr. Rachel Lebon, Roger and Marie Lebon, and Rose and Dennis Parenteau. A funeral mass will be said for JoAnn at Corpus Christi Catholic Church (6175 Datil Pepper Rd) at 11am Friday, June 9th. A reception will follow to celebrate her life and is open to all family and friends at the home of Guy and Susan Guernon at 12:30 (3672 Lone Wolf Trail). In lieu of flowers, JoAnn’s family requests any donations be made to the American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org/ and The Mayo Clinic at https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donateMC.

JoAnn Marie Lebon

April 30, 1955 - June 2, 2023