JoAnn Cahill

Jo Ann Cahill, 85, of Tijeras, NM, passed away peacefully at her home Sunday morning, March 1, 2020, after battling melanoma cancer for several years. Jo Ann was a longtime resident of New Mexico, having moved to Jemez Springs from Emporia Kansas when she was little. Her Mom and Dad (Thelma and James Kelly) soon moved to Albuquerque, where her Dad worked for the railroad, and Jo Ann grew up in the Albuquerque school system, graduating from Highland High School in 1952. Jo Ann met the love of her life, Kenneth (“Okee”) Cahill, while working in Albuquerque and they were married on July 10, 1964. Jo Ann and Okee enjoyed an extremely rich and full life in the Sandia mountains. They built their own home in Tijeras, hiked all over the Sandias, snowmobiled in the Jemez in winter, crafted beautiful miniature Kachina dolls, drew and painted New Mexico scenes, and enjoyed music of all sorts. Oh yes the music. JoAnn sang in almost every venue she could find: church choir, small harmony groups, and even a Methodist church Jug Band. Jo Ann always said the word “JUG” meant “Joy Unto God” and she applied that to every encounter she had with people, laughing and laughing as she told jokes and shared cartoons cut out of magazines or newspapers.

After Okee passed away of colon cancer in 1985, Jo Ann continued to immerse herself in church and charity work. At Mountainside Methodist she was always the first one at church so she could make the coffee. She supported countless church projects and helped out anywhere needed. At every turn, Jo Ann would welcome folks with a big hug and ask what she could do for them. Throughout her entire life Jo Ann loved the people she met with a humility and love-of-the-Lord that was truly unique. Even when she was in the last months of her cancer appointments, she would greet the medical team with hugs and questions about their families. Then she would say “I will pray for you”… and she did. She made us better people and she will be sorely missed.

Jo Ann was proceeded in death by her husband, Kenneth (Okee) Cahill; mother, Thelma Kelly; and father, James Kelly.

A Celebration Service honoring Jo Ann has been postponed until further notice , at Mountainside UMC, Cedar Crest, NM. Those desiring to honor Jo Ann with a contribution may send them to Mountainside UMC, Box 4 Penny Lane, New Mexico 87008.