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Joanne Elise Bird Booth, lovingly known to those closest to her as Mom, Mama Booth, Nana, and Nana Booth, passed away on August 19, 2026, at the age of 79.
Joanne was born June 5, 1947, in the Chesapeake Bay area of Maryland, a place that remained close to her heart throughout her life. Although she moved to New Mexico in 1972 and made her home there for more than five decades, Maryland was always “home,” especially when there were Maryland crabs waiting for her.
Joanne found joy in the things she loved. She was happiest heading to a Broadway show, returning to Maryland for a visit, or blasting show tunes, folk music, and classic rock. An avid reader, she could often be found absorbed in a mystery, crime, or thriller novel. And wherever Joanne went, her crochet went. More often than not, she was working on a baby afghan for one of the many babies fortunate enough to come into her life.
Joanne worked at NMSU-A for 25 years and was deeply involved in her community. Over the years, she served as a member of the Literacy Board, CASA Board, Theatre Guild, and Friends of the Library, organizations that reflected her lifelong love of books, the arts, children, and her community.
Above all else, Joanne loved her family. Her children meant the world to her, but her grandchildren and great grandchildren were, without question, her greatest treasures and the sweetest rewards of her life. Being their Nana was a role she cherished.
Joanne is survived by her children, Amy Ragan, Richard (Debra) Fowler, Kristin (Sam) Butson, Melanie (Clint) Gilmore, James (Melissa Doble) Booth, Jennifer (Joel) Hougon; her 14 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; her sister, Marcia (Bill) Bird; 2 nephews; 2 nieces; and many great nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her firstborn daughter, Debra Fowler; her father, Joseph Bird; her mother, Ethel Bird; her husband, Gordon Booth.
Joanne leaves behind a family who will miss her fiercely, along with a lifetime of memories filled with books, handmade afghans, Broadway shows, Maryland crabs, loud music, laughter, and love. Her legacy lives on in every person she loved, every child wrapped in one of her handmade blankets, and every song that will forever make her family think of Mom, Mama Booth, Nana, and Nana Booth.
A service celebrating Joanne’s life will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 2:00 pm at Alamogordo Funeral Home, 2301 First Street, Alamogordo, New Mexico.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the resource closet at Kids Inc., 1108 Cuba Avenue, Alamogordo, New Mexico, in Joanne’s memory.
