Jo Anna Boor died peacefully at home on Saturday, December 2, 2023. Jo Anna was born in Española, New Mexico on September 17, 1949 to Manuel and Marie Garcia. Jo Anna attended Loretto Academy in Santa Fe for high school and then went on to earn an associate degree in data processing from New Mexico State University.
She married and moved to Houston, Texas for a couple years and then returned to Española and began working at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Her career at LANL spanned 30 years.
Jo Anna had two children, Rocke Johnson and HC (Harry Carl) Hawkins, that she loved and adored from her first husband. Shortly after her divorce, she met her current husband, Michael Boor. While they were only married for 18 years, they were together for 34 years.
Jo Anna’s real calling came when she had grandchildren. She often told people that “grandkids are the best”. She dedicated her retirement years to being an attentive Nana. She took grandkids to school, picked them up, attended sporting events, school events and always made birthdays and holidays special.
Jo Anna was known for her delicious red chile. Her red chile won the 2015 San Martin de Porres Soup Kitchen Chile Cookoff. She was always happy to share her secret to good red chile…chicken broth.
Jo Anna was a dedicated member of Saint Anne’s parish where she served as a Catholic Daughter for several years. She was best known for the many cakes she baked for the cake walk and bake sales for church fundraisers. She was also a dedicated adoration (Blessed Sacrament) member at both Saint Anne’s parish and Sacred Heart Parish in Española, where she assumed her mother’s adoration time slot upon her death.
Jo Anna was a strong Catholic, a loving wife, mother, nana, daughter, sister, aunt and friend to those in her life. She will be greatly missed.
Jo Anna was preceded in death by her parents Manuel and Marie Garcia.
She is survived by husband Michael Boor of Santa Fe, daughter Rocke Johnson (Jesse) of Los Alamos, son HC Hawkins (Jamie) of Santa Fe, grandchildren Aiden, Jonah and Abbie Johnson, Bryce and Brooke Hawkins and Logan Baca. She is also survived by her brother Anthony Garcia of Española, sister Dolores Maez (Emery) of Abiquiu , sister Emelda Castillo (Robert) of Santa Fe, sister Loretta Garcia (Jimmy Leal) of Santa Fe and brother Manuel Garcia (Chayo) of Las Cruces, godson Juan Maez, godson Robbie Castillo (Anika), goddaughter Trinity Garcia, nephews and nieces that she loved like her own Chris Castillo (Kym), Stephanie Balderrama, Melissa Castillo, Joseph Maez (Rosanna), Tres Garcia (Stephanie), Daniel Garcia (Gabriel Lopez), numerous great nieces and nephews, other extended family and many friends.
Services will be held Tuesday, December 19 at Saint Anne’s Church, 511 Alicia Street in Santa Fe. A rosary will be recited at 9:00 a.m., followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m., and internment at Rosario Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. A reception will be held immediately following mass at the Saint Anne’s Parish Hall.