Joan Lorraine Gogan

Joan Lorraine Gogan, age 89, a resident of Albuquerque since 1951, was born August 28, 1927 in Buffalo, New York, and went to be with the Lord on March 29, 2017. She is survived by her children, Mary Jo Davee and husband, John of Tucson, AZ, Eileen Martinez and husband Marty of Albuquerque, NM, Susan Folkner and husband Mark of Albuquerque, NM, and Pamela Harada and husband, Michael, of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Joel Davee, Michael Davee and wife Barbara, Nathan Martinez, Sarah Martinez, Emily Sena and husband Matt, Erin Conner and husband Brandon, Jacqueline Vigliano and husband David, and Jessica Folkner; as well as great grandchildren, Ryan and Luke Vigliano and Gabriel and Rafael Davee. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Deacon Harry Gogan, parents, Joseph and Frances Althen, as well as her stepmother, Flo Althen, sisters Marie Banas and Patsy Sparacino , and son, Joseph Stephen Gogan.

She attended both Lafayette and Kensington High Schools in Buffalo, New York, graduating from the latter. She worked as a Legal Secretary for several years before she married. She attended Vocational School and received a certificate in Medical Terminology. She also worked for Tech Reps as a technical proofreader for 15 years.

Joan met Harry while he was working as a life guard at Sherkston, Ontario, Canada in July 1947, and they were married on December 27 of that year. Both families said the marriage would never last! They were married 65 years at the time of Harry's death on April 26, 2013.

Joan and Harry were founding members of Our Lady of Annunciation Catholic Church. Joan spent several years volunteering as a Girl Scout leader and at Annunciation school and later at St. Pius. When Harry "retired" and began his second career as a Deacon of the Catholic Church in 1987, she played a very supportive role in his ministry which lasted for almost 26 years.

Joan's greatest accomplishment was being a wife and mother and she excelled beautifully at both. In the words of her grandchildren, Joan's favorite activities with them were, "eating beanie weanies, trips to Red River and Pagosa Springs, playing UNO, wearing spaghetti bibs, a love of reading, doing crosswords, singing Irish lullabies, pickles, and spoons!." Add to that the immense pleasure she received at being involved in the lives of her great grandchildren. And quoting the latest newlywed in the family, "Her unwavering love and devotion for her husband inspires me in my new marriage, and the family she created is her legacy."

Viewing will take place at 6:00 pm, followed by The Rosary at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at FRENCH - Wyoming. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 8:30 am on Thursday, April 6, at Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 2621 Vermont St., NE. Joan will be interred with her husband at Santa Fe National Cemetery. For friends who wish, flowers may be sent to FRENCH - Wyoming. Please NO LILIES.



FRENCH - Wyoming
7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE
(505) 823-9400