JoAnn Ferrier

Jo Ann Ferrier

1936 – 2025

Jo Ann Ferrier, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully in 2025 at the age of 88..

Born in 1936 in San Pedro, California, Jo Ann was the first in her family to attend college, a point of great pride throughout her life. She graduated from UCLA in 1956 and began her career as an elementary school teacher. Later, she joined her husband Ken in running Consolidated Vendors, their family-owned vending machine business, while also devoting herself to raising her children and creating a home filled with warmth, joy, and incredible meals.

Cooking was Jo Ann’s art and her love language. She baked more than 30 different kinds of bread, mastered Chinese cuisine, and perfected down-home comfort food. Her family will forever cherish memories of her turkey neck gravy, six signature pancake recipes, and her extensive roster of soups, which seemed endless in variety and flavor. Long before “fusion cooking” became a trend, Jo Ann blended Italian, Mexican, Croatian, and Asian traditions into meals that were uniquely hers, always served with love and a story.

Outside the kitchen, Jo Ann was a passionate sports fan. She loved college football and cheered for her beloved USC Trojans. She never missed a minute of the Olympics and was also a rabid fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Lakers. Though small in stature, she had a contagious, joyful laugh and boundless energy, often working tirelessly from early morning into the late hours of the night.

Her best friend was her husband, Ken, of 56 years. They did everything together, even splitting meals.

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Ken; her parents, Minnie and John; and many loved ones who went before her.

She is survived by her two sons, Dennis and Daniel Ferrier; Daniel’s wife, Makiko; and seven grandchildren—Natasha, Katrina, Genevieve, Luke, Jack, Kate, and Jake—who were her greatest joy. She is also survived by her two sisters, Roberta and Serrelda, along with nieces and nephews and many dear friends who will miss her deeply.

Jo Ann’s life was defined by love, laughter, hard work, and the simple joy of gathering people around a table. Her family takes comfort knowing that her legacy lives on in every recipe shared, every story told, and every burst of laughter that fills the room.