Joanne Grace (Restivo) Jelso

Joanne G. Jelso, 79, a resident of Albuquerque, died on Saturday, April 16, 2022. A woman of faith and Christian service, a person of great zest and love, and a generous daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend, Joanne will be truly missed. Her family remains consoled in the joyful hope that they will see Joanne again, when God "will wipe away every tear from their eyes" (Rev. 21:4). He may also be wiping a tear away from his own eye, as Joanne was well known for making everyone laugh with her good humor and funny ways.

Joanne is survived by her children: John Frank Jelso and wife, Desiree; Anthony Joseph Jelso and wife, Janay; Gina Marie Jelso; and Laura Joanne Smith and husband, Stephen. Her grandchildren were a great source of joy: Sydney and Ryan Jelso; Hannah (Angel) Almanza and Zachary Heise; Jayden and Tanner Jelso; and William, Nicholas, Thomas, and Grace Smith. Her first great granddaughter, Penelope Jane, was born last August, and she was looking forward to the arrival of her first great grandson, Antonio, in May. She is survived by her sister-in-laws, Judith Taylor and Carolann Dungan and husband, John and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and godchildren. Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, Grace, and Joseph Restivo; by her loving husband, Dr. Damian J. Jelso; by her in-laws, John and Dorothy Jelso; by her brother, Michael Restivo; and by her brother-in-law, Larry Taylor.

Joanne was first and foremost a faithful daughter, wife, and mother, who loved the Lord, her family and her friends to the end. Born and raised on Chicago's South Side, Joanne attended St. Sabina Grammar School and the Academy of Our Lady. She was a Mundelein College graduate who majored in speech pathology and elementary education, and she first taught in Chicago and then the Cleveland Catholic schools. Joanne first met her husband Damian, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who served the Albuquerque community for 35 years, when he was doing postgraduate work in Chicago. Damian cleaned Joanne's teeth on that happy day, and until the end of his life he liked to recall that Joanne had the most beautiful smile of all.

During her Chicago years, Joanne enjoyed singing, roller-skating, and Irish step dancing with great spirit; her grandchildren would get a big kick from hearing how their Nana Jo "danced on the tabletops" of the Windy City. In 1970, Joanne moved to Damian's hometown of Albuquerque, where she became her neighborhood's second mom, quietly serving the needs of many children and elderly with great charity-and delicious food. Having always had a heart for special needs children, Joanne returned to the classroom as an educational assistant for Albuquerque Public Schools after her children were grown. She was a longtime parishioner and member of the choir at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church. Joanne enjoyed reading, traveling and Tai Chi. By far the most important of Joanne's activities, however, were living her vocation to marriage and motherhood with great love and care, while also serving as the mischievous and fun "Nana" to her grandchildren. As her husband liked to say, God truly "broke the mold" when he made "My Joanne."

Friends are warmly welcome to visit with the family on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at FRENCH-Wyoming, 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., with a scripture Memorial Service starting at 6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Joanne on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 2621 Vermont St NE. All are welcome at this beautiful and encouraging liturgy, where we pray and remember that Joanne's life has now "changed, not ended." Interment will take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery immediately following Joanne's funeral Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Right to Life Committee of New Mexico and the Alzheimer's Association, New Mexico Chapter.