Joan Blodgett

Joan Blodgett Obituary by: Greg Blodgett 2/05/2024 “Long time Roswell resident was active in the community and a recognized leader” Joan Blodgett could be seen darting around town in her red Mustang convertible going from work at Tobosa to teaching water aerobics at the Racquet Club. She served as a house mother at Reflections and Recovery Ministry Women’s Refuge, all while completing her Bachelor’s degree at night from New Mexico Highlands University in 2008. Blodgett participated in breakfast meetings for Keep Roswell Beautiful and served as the chairman of Altrusa Club’s community service for Salvation Army food distribution, literacy, and breast cancer awareness. She always said that no one should complain of boredom in Roswell because there was always something to do. When asked, her friend Linda Madrid listed at least 24 volunteer activities in which Blodgett was involved. She was a member of the Altrusa Club for three decades where she acted twice as President and was nominated for the Governor’s Award. She volunteered at the Historical Society of Southeast NM and was on the Welcome Ministry at Christ’s Church. Blodgett made lifelong friends in the Roswell Runners Club where she liked to run, hike, and kayak and participated in several Turtle Marathons. She loved the Roswell Symphony and went to dinner every Saturday with her friends in the “Fine Ladies Dining” group. She was named the Sertoma Club Person of the Year and received the "Outstanding Leader Award” from Leadership Roswell Alumni Association in 2013. She received the United Way Community Service Award in 2022. On Sunday, September 7, 2014, the Roswell Daily Record Sunday Spotlight called Blodgett the “Energizer Bunny.” She joked to not be fooled by the gray hair; she was only 37 (actually 73 at the time). Blodgett attributed her energy to her happy life, along with blessings from God and a healthy sense of humor. “You have to have a sense of humor, and for me, I just have to have friends. My friends are my family, and they keep me going.” Laughter, she said, is the best medicine. “You have to look for the bright spot.” Linda Madrid added, “You could not get her to say a bad word about anybody – ever.” She was always kind and caring and positive. Blodgett was quite a role model getting her bachelor’s degree late in life and often encouraged the young people who she met to go to college. As a breast cancer survivor, she supported and offered encouragement to anyone who had a diagnosis of cancer. Her strong faith bore witness through her generous heart in service to others, daily Bible study, and the dozens of testimonials she received from her community. Joan was born and raised in Michigan where she raised her own family and then moved to Roswell in 1982. She joined Tobosa Developmental Services as an Executive Secretary and later moved up to Office Manager where she stayed for 31 years before retiring in 2013. She was then asked to come back on a part-time basis, which she did and never left. She liked to say that she kept working, so she would have money to travel. Blodgett made two trips to the United Kingdom and three trips to Israel. She attended her 60th high school reunion in Michigan, vacationed with her daughter and daughter-in-law in Maine, and celebrated the holidays in Maryland with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchild. Joan Blodgett died on January 19, 2024, of natural causes after a brief illness. She is pre-deceased by ex-husband William Blodgett and her brother David Harris. She is survived by daughter Dina Blodgett and daughter-in-law Sandra Smith, son Greg Blodgett and daughter-in-law Kim Blodgett, grandchildren: Matt Blodgett, JT Blodgett and fiancé Sarah Hasse, Meghan Blodgett Espina, her husband Roberto Espina, and their son Gabriel. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Christ’s Church in Roswell. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Altrusa Club of Roswell or Christ’s Church in Joan Blodgett’s name.

Joan Blodgett

July 6, 1941 - January 19, 2024