Joann Louise Clifford, nee Joan Goetzinger, of Aztec, NM died peacefully on January 2, 2026, at San Juan Regional Medical Center of Farmington, NM. Her health recently took a turn for the worse, leading to her residency at Cedar Ridge Inn in Farmington and hospital care.  

Joann will be remembered with love by her remaining family: daughter Melanie Clifford Morales (husband Aaron), granddaughter Jasmin Richart (husband Ricardo), grandson Sean Devine, and two great grandchildren, Caleb Garcia (mother, Saundra Mendoza), and Antonio Richart. Siblings surviving Joann are Lynne Walters (Mike), Ron Goetzinger (Marty), Donna Granados, Chuck Goetzinger (Gail), and Alice McCain (Bruce). She also leaves behind nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, brother Bob Goetzinger, son Brandon Clifford and grandson Danny Garcia.  

Joann was born to Earl and Myrtle (nee Hoiseth) Goetzinger in Corvallis, OR while her father was in the U.S. Army, stationed in Georgia. Earl was able to travel from Georgia to be present for Joann’s birth before returning for overseas duty during WWII. Over the next 18 years six siblings joined the family, and joyful family gatherings usually included many nearby cousins, aunts and uncles, with occasional attendance by Hoiseth and Goetzinger grandparents from Wisconsin.

Joann attended Zion Lutheran School in Corvallis before entering Highland View Junior High and Corvallis High School, graduating from CHS in 1962. She then attended Oregon State University, Western Oregon College, and George Fox College while working to support herself. Her college classes centered on Art and Humanities. She always had an artistic flair and deep care for nature, people, and her pets (especially her longtime Yorkshire-mix dog “Toto”).

Joann married Merle Dee Clifford September 8, 1967 in Corvallis, OR. They lived on a farm in Scotts Mills, OR, where infants Melanie Dawn and Brandon Earl came and were adopted by Joann and Merle.  While living in Scotts Mills Joann explored organic gardening and freely shared that knowledge with community members. The marriage ended in 1978; she moved to Mt. Angel, then Silverton, OR. There she first worked in real estate sales, then as a case manager, connecting people in need with appropriate social services.

Joann moved to Aztec, New Mexico in 2008 to be close to her children, grandchildren and brothers Bob and Ron. She gained many friends through groups like the Seed Exchange and Democratic groups. After she started a community garden a probation officer reached out to Joann to have teens who needed community service hours help her. Daughter Melanie recalls that none of these youth had ever seen a garden grow and had no idea how fruits and veggies developed. They started from the beginning by planting the seeds, weeding, watering, and watching the fruits of their labor grow. When veggies were ready, their faces lit up as they tasted produce right off the vine and could take their crops home to share with their families. She was excited to "plant those seeds" in these youth.  

Nephew Keanon Goetzinger recently shared this heartfelt tribute to Joann: “Rest in peace, Auntie. You’ll always inspire me to tend my garden and cultivate my green thumb. I’ll be planting extra wildflowers for you, and sharing seeds and food and propagations with others, as was your way. You were a living exemplification of peace and compassion.”

Farmington Funeral Home has handled final details. Joann’s celebration of life will be held this summer, both in New Mexico and in Joann’s beloved Pacific Northwest.