Joan Deming

Joan Collinson Deming born in El Paso, TX on June 1, 1931, to the late Leola Lovelace Collinson and Frank Collinson, passed away on December 15, 2007 in Albuquerque, NM. Raised in El Paso, Joan with her twin sister Jean, attended and graduated from El Paso High School. She attended and graduated from Texas Western in Education with additional studies in English and History. In 1952 she married Robert F. Deming and in 1958 she gave birth to her only child Robert F. Deming, Jr. She was divorced in 1961. A life-long educator, Joan taught in both the El Paso and Ysleta school districts. In the late 60's Joan acquired and restored a cabin in Ruidoso, NM -- which would eventually become the place of her retirement. Joan loved education, nature, the mountains and stimulating political conversation. She rescued, protected and cared for animals and contributed to a number of causes including the protection of wild horses and the protection of endangered species. Through the years, she wrote many Letters to the Editor of the El Paso Times, which were published; most often, those letters were concerned with enhancing the quality of education and the contributing societal factors to that process. Joan is survived by her son Robert (Bob) who resides in New York City, her sister Jean living in Idaho, and her first cousins Knollene Lovelace McDaniel and Roe Lovelace -- both of New Mexico. Joan's gravesite services and burial will be held on Friday, January 4th at 10:00 AM in El Paso at the Lovelace Family site at Restlawn Memorial Park, 8700 Dyer El Paso, Texas 79904.