Joan Louise Horner Doherty, 93, went to be with the Lord on July 20, 2021, with her daughter Dianna by her side. She has lived with Dianna, son-in-law Mark and their family for the last several years near Rifle, Colorado.
Joan was born, raised, married and helped raise 6 children in the Branson-Trinchera Community with her beloved Tanky Doherty and where she lived for nine+ decades. Her parents, Lawrence and Pearle Horner had three children Harold, Helen, and Joan who was their youngest.
She is survived by her children John (Pat) Doherty, Ben (deceased) (Willetta) Doherty, Joann (Chris) Mann, Kathleen (Dennis) Brooks, Jim (Karen) Doherty, Dianna (Mark) Fox, 17 grandchildren and many of their beloved grand-spouses, 22 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great granddaughter and dozens of much- loved nieces and nephews.
Her childhood was spent playing cowgirl for untold hours with the neighborhood kids and on horseback with her Dad checking the cattle on the family ranch. She became an accomplished rider, a roper for brandings in the area, and the Trinidad Rodeo Queen 75 years ago this year. Her nephew Earl (Woody) still affectionally calls her “Queen of the Rodeo” which always elicited a big smile.
Joan graduated from Branson High School where she was quite the athlete. Growing up she was always in the middle of the neighborhood baseball game, was on the girl’s baseball team and one time in a game against Kim was put in as the 1st baseman for the “boys’ team.” Joan said that seeing a girl up-to-bat all the outfield players moved in towards her so … she said, “So I just hit the ball over their heads!” Joan also loved playing basketball even into college years on the women’s team which wasn’t officially a college team but played other “town and community teams.” Joan graduated from Trinidad State Junior College and spent some time at Colorado State University before returning home to care for her Mom who was ill.
Joan and Tanky were married in 1948 and had 62 years of committed and adventurous marriage. In the early years they rode and worked cattle together, then they had 7 children – raising 6 — and together enjoyed Ranch life immensely. Joan (and Tanky) were right in the middle of all the activities of their children. Joan was not only an amazing homemaker for her family but a 4-H leader for her own daughters and other girls in the community. She was also a Room Mother for several of her kids during their school years and active in the Parent Teacher Association for years, including as President. Her activities in the Community included Branson-Trinchera Community Club, Folsom Garden Club, Las Animas County Cowbells and Hiking Club where she made many friends. Joan also enjoyed bowling for decades at The Trinidad Lanes and even bowled a 200 game before she retired in her mid-80’s!
Joan was a good friend to many and there was always room for anyone visiting at the family table. She was always right in the middle of family events and meals at holidays, birthdays, brandings, haying days and the countless game-nights, family holiday singing around the piano, and laughter as she played with, taught, and loved her kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, nieces, nephews, and countless friends. Her family was her life and she would have it no other way. She kept score at hundreds of ball games! She was the first to cheer on her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids at all kinds of ball games, county and state fairs, National Western Stock show, Exhibit Days, music recitals, plays (at school and in the family basement), fashion shows, and so much more. She made it a mission to attend all the weddings, graduations and special events she could. She enjoyed traveling over the years seeing many wonderful sites from East Coast to the West Coast, Alaska and Hawaii. Joan was an example of loyalty to her family, extended family and the community. Many, not just her own children and grandchildren, felt she was a “Mom” and “Granma” to them.
Joan’s faith was imminently important to her, and she made it a priority to raise her kids to have a faith in God. She grew up in the Branson Community Church and later when married raised her children in the Catholic Church with Tanky. She was involved in the Branson, Trinchera, Des Moines and Folsom Catholic Churches. Later in life, as a widow, Joan again enjoyed being part of the Branson Community Church where her grandson Brad is Pastor. When she moved to Rifle with her daughter Dianna and son-in-law Mark and their family, she enjoyed being part of the Catholic Faith Community there. She is known by her family and many others as a quiet prayer warrior. She spent countless hours in Bible Study and her heart-felt desire was for all of her family to know and love Jesus.
Joan was much beloved by many … related to her or not. She inspired and blessed many people over her lifetime with her laughter, kindness, gentleness, loving and peaceful attitude, and determined and adventuresome spirit. Her legacy of quietly changing lives for the better one-person at a time will forever be remembered. Joan will be deeply missed and has made an imprint for the glory of God on countless lives.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband Tanky, her son Ben, her daughter Shari Louise, and her grandson Nathan.
Services for Joan:
- Viewing: Sunday, August 1st at 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Comi Funeral Home at 1804 East Main St. Trinidad, CO
- Monday, August 2nd there will be a Rosary at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Folsom, New Mexico 4:00 PM
- Joan’s Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, August 3rd at 10:00 AM at Branson Community Church in Branson, Colorado with a light lunch to follow at the Branson Community Center
- Graveside Interment will be at 1:00 PM Tuesday, August 3rd at the Doherty Family Gravesite, Hereford Park Ranch near Folsom, New Mexico
In lieu of flowers Memorial Contributions in Joan Doherty’s name can be made to: Las Animas County 4-H Foundation or Colorado 4-H Foundation
Cards for the Family may be sent to:
The Joan Doherty Family
c/o John and Pat Doherty
PO Box 182
Des Moines, NM 88418
Arrangements made under the direction of the Comi Funeral Home.
