Jo Ann Del Curto

Jo Ann Del Curto, 76, passed away on December 13, 2016 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She was born on December 27, 1939 in Albuquerque, NM to the late Lawrence and Lorene (Love) Groff. On December 22, 1956 she married Bill Carter in Moriarty, NM. Then on January 27, 1996 she married George “Butch” Del Curto in Moriarty, NM. Jo Ann’s heart was all things western; ever the elegant cowgirl, gracious, beautiful, and full of life, love and laughter. She was gifted to document much of her passion for a great amount of years creating a legacy of country life through the lens of her camera. Her involvement in every aspect of western way of life evolved into eternally encapsulating the memories of others though thru her photographs. She blessed many associations over the years she was involved in with her talents as a teacher, counselor, a business women, a leader and a never ending supporter of the better good. She was a stellar example of a Christian woman of virtue, a stellar example of moral compass, loyalty, professional ethic, founder of Torrance County Counseling, various safe haven shelters, and a plethora of support and resource for entities in need. She deeply loved her family inclusive and extended members- each and every one, and her family loved her. The legacy she created lives on in every person and every critter she came in contact with and even those she never personally met, but that were impacted generationally by her friendship, fellowship, generosity and love. Jo Ann is also preceded in death by her husband, George “Butch” Del Curto and step son, Dante Del Curto. She is survived by her sons, Scott Carter of Moriarty, NM and David (Monicque) Carter of Hobbs, NM; step son, Bryan (Barbara) Del Curto of Tajique, NM; brother, Roger Davis (and nephew Gary) of El Paso, TX; cousin, Lee (Gwen) Groff of Gilbert, AZ; grandchildren, Dylan (Scott) Davis, Alyssa Carter, Ashley Carter, Reece Carter, Jackie (Joshua) Brown, Joe Don (Katy) Wright, Dylan Harvick, Ivan (Desiree) Del Curto, Nathan (Kristen) Del Curto, Trey Del Curto, Devyn Del Curto, Audrey Del Curto (and all their children); great granddaughter, Sunny Wright; companion, Gary Heidlebaugh of Los Ojos, NM; daughters, Sandra Small of Denver, CO, Diane (Bryon Angvall) Heidlebaugh of Kenmore, WA and Audra Hallbauer of Denver, CO; son, Brant Heidlebaugh of Anchorage, AK and grandchildren, Eric Small, Jennifer Small, James Small and Darian Hallbauer as well as extended family, ex-husband Bill (Bertha) Carter and family, Jodie Love (and children), Rob (Carla) Smets, Corey (Cody) Owens, Carter Owens, Angela Cook and Brandi Lower. A Viewing is scheduled for Friday December 16, 2016 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Harris Hanlon Mortuary in Moriarty, New Mexico. The Funeral Service will be on Saturday December 17, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. at the First Baptist Church in Moriarty, New Mexico. Interment will follow at the Mountain View Cemetery in Moriarty, NM. Pallbearers will be Lee Groff, Buddy Dunn, Jerry Britton, Steve Anaya, Rob Smets and Martin Encinias. Honorary Pallbearers are Roger Davis, Mike Anaya, Don King and Tony Anaya.