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Joan Lee (Turner) McCurry, 93, a 50-year resident of San Manuel, AZ, died Feb. 6, 2016, at home at Saguaro Ranch Luxury Assisted Living in Tucson where she resided since December, 2013.
Joan was born Feb. 23, 1922 in Canon City, Colorado, to Roy Albert Turner and Etta Lucille Walton. Jody, as she was known to friends and family, graduated as the Salutatorian from Canon City High School in 1939. She attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado, earning academic honors in 1940 and 1941. Jody joined the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and recently received her 75 year membership pin.
Jody and Al McCurry were married Jan. 29, 1949. Living in Central, New Mexico, Jody worked for the US Forest Service in Fort Bayard, New Mexico. In 1955, the McCurry family moved to Southern Arizona and were among the first residents of San Manuel. Jody worked for the San Manuel Copper Corporation (Magma) as assistant to the comptroller. She retired in 1982.
Jody was a summer resident of Lakeside for many years after her retirement. She loved the White Mountains and all its outdoor activities. She usually out-fished the rest of the family.
She was very active in San Manuel, volunteering her time for charitable projects in the Tri-Community area including the San Manuel Library and teaching English as a second language. Jody was also a founding member of the San Manuel Golf Club and a frequent volunteer with the local Elks organization.
Jody was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Frank Alvin McCurry. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Roy Albert Turner and Etta Lucille (Walton) Turner.
She is survived by three sons, David Newton (Sharon Wallenstrom) of Severna Park, Maryland; Robert Newton (Sharon) of San Manuel; and Douglas McCurry of Tucson. Known as “GG Mom” to her five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, she is survived by Paige Killian (David) of Newport, Rhode Island; Elizabeth Bartlett (Stever) of Middlebury, Vermont; Michael Newton (Rebecca) of Hollywood, Maryland; Robynn Dorffi (Wesley) of Fallbrook, California; and Caitlin McCurry of Tucson; the great-grandchildren include Danielle Marie Killian and James Knight Killian of Newport, Rhode Island; Hayley Renee Newton, Joseph Riley Newton, and Samantha Lee Newton of Hollywood, Maryland; and Layton Newton Dorffi and Maddox Newton Dorffi of Fallbrook, California.
Saguaro Ranch Luxury Assisted Living and all their employees and to Soreo Hospice and all their employees are to be commended for the love and care given to Jody.
Funeral service will be held at 11 am, Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 at the Evergreen Cemetery Chapel (3015 North Oracle Road, Tucson, AZ).
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