Barbara Lasswell

Barbara Lasswell, 85, of Springfield, MO, passed away peacefully December 9, 2020, due to Covid-19 at Mercy Hospital Springfield with family by her side.

She was born to Helen and John Hess in Humboldt, KS, and grew up in Clinton, MO, where she graduated Clinton Senior High School in 1953. She took a “summer job” as an operator for the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, and, in 1956, married her sailor, Howard Norman Lasswell. With him in college and her still at the phone company, they started a journey that spanned from Ohio to California and a family that became Barbara’s lifetime labor of love. When Norman died in 1973, Barbara moved from Miami, OK, to be near family in their hometown of Clinton, where she raised their six children.

She is survived by those devoted “six” and their families: Julie Ann Burns, Olathe, KS; Kimberly Jane McDowell (Mike), Clinton, MO; Kelly Lynn Moore (Greg), Ozark, MO; Joan Astrid Albrecht, Richmond, VA; Matthew Norman (Angie), Clinton, MO; and Shawn Michael (Kim), Camdenton, MO.

Barbara was known as “Nanny” to her grands and “Big Nanny” to her greats and will be loved and cherished forever by: Neina Bennett Cummings and Drew and Tristin; Sarah Long; Nicholas McDowell (Taylor) and Kennedy; Alexander McDowell (Janelle) and Clover, Linden and Jasten; Joel McDowell; Michael and Kelsey Bollenbach; Lacey Layton (Mark) and Audrey and Barrett; Maddie and Jackson Albrecht; Autumn Lasswell Anderson (Blake) and Baylor; Mason Lasswell; Jake Smith; Dustin Medlin; Amanda Clutter; Chase Lasswell (Katie) and Vivien; and Austin Lasswell.

Barbara is also survived by a large and extended family including her sister Mary Frances Hess Lasswell (Joe), Clinton, MO; and numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Helen, her father, John, her daughter Linda Lee, her sisters Julie Ann and Suzanne Hess Messer, her brother, Michael Anthony, and most recently, her sweet great granddaughter Kimber Thomas McDowell.

Resilient, resourceful, brilliant, Barbara could fix anything with a pair of panty hose and duct tape, grow a new plant from the leaf of another, feed seven people for a week with one chicken and an onion, and daily complete the New York Times crossword puzzle, even on Sunday. She celebrated the little things in life – like lightening bugs, autumn leaves, shopping trips, and hair appointments – always looked out for the underdogs and taught her family to do the same.

In her “retirement” in Clinton, she directed the Henry County Museum and worked as a sales associate at J.C. Penney. She loved helping local farmers find the perfect gift for their wives … on Christmas Eve.

Barbara loved nature, food, music, and words. But most of all she loved her family. She will be missed but never forgotten.

A private committal in Clinton, Missouri, will be followed by a Celebration of Life at the Henry County Museum, in Clinton, MO. May 23, 2021, 2 to 4 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the celebration will take place inside. The family will welcome friends and family to this celebration of a life well-lived and admired.

Barbara supported Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Ozarks and their vision for all youth to fulfill their full potential. Memorial contributions may be made to them at:

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Ozarks
3372 W. Battlefield Rd.
Springfield, MO 65807
https://www.bigbro.com/

Barbara received the Anointing of the Sick sacrament from Father Jerome Ameichi, Mercy Hospital in Springfield.

Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com