West Peabody – Lauretta M. “Laurie” (Ryan) Zeoli 76, beloved wife of William (Bill) J. Zeoli, died unexpectedly on Monday, January 9, 2023 at the Lahey Medical Center in Burlington.

She was born in Malden on June 17, 1946, the daughter the late William and Loretta (Murray) and received her education in the Malden school system graduating from Malden High School.

Professionally, Laurie was a bookkeeper, office manager, real estate agent and household finance manager with clients ranging from insurance and real estate agencies to small shops in Boston and on the North Shore. She was an asset to every company that had to foresight to hire her, bringing not only her business sense but her enthusiasm for decor and charm, creating joyful and colorful office vignettes for every holiday and season. In addition to her business acumen, Laurie was an avid hobbyist and later an accomplished crafter. She was self-taught, becoming proficient at knitting, crocheting, gardening, photography, professional mounting of art, scrapbooking, jewelry making, wreath making, and decoupage. Her latest passions included diamond art and she generated at least 100 paintings in as many days with increasingly difficult, intricate details.

In addition to her personal hobbies, Laurie was a lover of music, street artists and animals. Her passion for animal rescue, her love of both dogs and cats, and her affection for even the smallest creatures was a constant throughout her life. During her time working in Boston, Laurie carried peanuts for the Boston Garden squirrels which continued to her Disney-Iike backyard with bird feeders of all kinds. No animal escaped her affection and Laurie frequently pulled over leaping out of her car to greet dog owners and walkers across many towns.

A resident of Peabody for the past twenty-five years, Laurie loved her home and the joys and comforts of the North Shore. She was a cheerful, loving companion to all; a loving wife, stepmother, godmother, grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law and friend as well as a fixture at the nail salon, her purple nails and sparkly bracelets reflecting a light only slightly less sparkling then her generous soul.

In addition to her husband Bill (BZ), Laurie is mourned by her daughters Michelle (Zeoli) Usseglio, Waltham, her companion James (Jimmy) Kelley, as well her former son-in-law Gary Usseglio, Waltham; Deborah (Zeoli) Butler and Douglas Butler, Wakefield, and former daughter-in-law, Mellisa Dellaire and Donnie (Myrtle Beach SC). Laurie will be missed by her sons, William (Bill) J. Zeoli and Kim Zeoli, Needham; Anthony (Tony) P. Zeoli and Melissa (Missy) Gluckmann, Asheville NC. Laurie was the treasured sister of William (Bill) Ryan and his wife Ann, Melrose; brother-in-law, Paul Weber and his wife, Denise of Melrose; adored Aunt of Megan Ryan, Melrose; Meredith (Ryan) Barkhouse and Benjamin Barkhouse, Manchester NH, and Olivia Weber, Melrose.

Forever celebrating her life will be 11 grandchildren, her grandnephew and many godchildren included by name informally as Nick Tanzillo, Greg Zeoli, Billy Zeoli, Alexa Zeoli, Sabrina Zeoli, Hudson Zeoli, Julia Fournier, Ellie Butler, James Butler, Teddy Butler, Leo Barkhouse, goddaughter Cori-Devan (Bingle) Selerno, Stephanie Titus and many others. Laurie joins her predeceased grandson, Douglas (Dougie) Usseglio. She is also survived by still more loving relatives and innumerable dear friends.

ARRANGEMENTS: A visiting hour will be held at the Conway Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody, Tuesday, January 17, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. followed by a service in the funeral home at 11:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial at the Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in her memory to the Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave., Salem, MA 01970.