Joanne E. Kaiser

May 31, 1943 - September 04, 2026

...
Text:

Obituary for Joanne E. Kaiser

Joanne E. (Carlson) Kaiser, 83, of Milton, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on September 4, 2026, after bravely battling a long illness.

Wife of the late George Kaiser of Milton, adored daughter of the late Walter Carlson and the late Elizabeth (Gallagher) Carlson. Loving sister of the late Walter Carlson of Newton and New Hampshire.

Joanne is survived by her daughter, Melissa Santosuosso of Arlington, her golden child son Bryan, and her daughter-in-law Shannon (Jepson) Kaiser (Bryan’s wife) of Tewksbury. Joanne is also survived by her six grandchildren, to whom she was Nana: Anthony and Sarah Santosuosso, and Brenna, Jake, Sean and Brigitte Kaiser. Joanne’s grandchildren were the lights of her life, and they already miss her beyond measure. Christmas will never be the same. Really.

Joanne graduated from Holy Name Academy, and attended Massachusetts College of Art. She was a talented artist, but her greatest passion was cooking and entertaining. In 1977, she opened Joanne’s Restaurant and Lounge on Hampton Beach, N.H., and promptly put her children to work for every summer thereafter. Her great success in the restaurant industry continued until she sold her business in 1992, finally freeing her kids from working 60 hours a week in a 95 degree kitchen and bar with no air conditioning (it was a beach restaurant in the 70s and 80s – no central a/c). Joanne then worked for over 20 years as the Food and Beverage Manager at Fox Hill Village in Westwood, where she was a favorite with the residents and staff alike, making many lifelong friends that she still was close to after her 2016 retirement. Joanne loved travelling to Key West and New Orleans, going to Ogunquit, Maine with her family, giving advice to her children, watching the news on endless loop, and birdwatching. Her daughter Melissa is now left with 5 birdhouses that she’ll still have to fill for fear that her mother is watching. Bryan, however, for once got the short end of the stick, as he now has a POD full of Joanne’s stuff in his backyard.

Although Joanne had many accomplishments, the first priority in her life was her grandchildren. She never missed an opportunity to care of them, play with them, attend their sporting events, take them shopping and on vacations, and just be there for each of them in the way that they needed. She loved them more than life itself, and they reciprocated that love without fail, each and every one of them.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, EAST MILTON SQUARE, Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 7:00 PM. Family and friends are invited. Visiting hours will be prior to the service from 4-7 PM.

Services

10 Sep

Visiting Hours

04:00 PM - 07:00 PM

Dolan Funeral Homes and Cremation Services - EAST MILTON SQUARE 460 Granite Avenue Milton, MA 02186 Get Directions »
10 Sep

Celebration of Life

07:00 PM

Dolan Funeral Homes and Cremation Services - EAST MILTON SQUARE 460 Granite Avenue Milton, MA 02186 Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

Photos & Video

Add New Photos & Video

Condolences

  • September 13, 2026

    Francesca Coombs

    My deepest condolences to the entire family, remembering our last conversation; her voice will echo in my memory.

  • September 10, 2026

    Gail Manning

    So sorry to hear that Joanne passed. I worked for many years with Joanne at Fox Hill Village although not in her department. Her creativity and flair together with the fine fare of Chef Paul Gray was responsible for the exceptional fine dining that Fox Hill was famous for during its early years. In later years as her grandchildren appeared she often mentioned them with love and pride. She will be missed.

  • September 08, 2026

    James Kanter

    We had some of my best lifelong memories together back in the early 90s...I will always remember her with love & kindness

  • September 08, 2026

    Donna Kilburne

    I met Joanne in 1991 when she started at Fox Hill Village and continued our friendship to this day. We had a lot of good times and good talks every Sunday at work, though we always got blamed for conspiring by certain men (who will remain nameless!). She was such a joyful person and her family meant EVERYTHING to her. Our nights out that included Dawn and Sue will never be the same. I will miss my friend. Donna Kilburne

  • September 07, 2026

    Gretchen Munafo

    I had the pleasure of working with Joanne at Foxhill for many years. She was such an amazing woman. She was beautiful, elegant, fun loving and so kind to all of the waiters & waitresses. She took us all under her wing and was an incredible mentor and friend. I have so many fond memories both during work ( getting snowed in at work during a blizzard) and after hours ( fun celebrations & cocktails) . Sending condolences and love to her family. Gretchen Munafo

  • September 07, 2026

    Jan Dexter

    So sorry to hear about Joanne. She was so good to my sister Lyn Smith her next door neighbor. Jan Dexter