Joanne Rose Kinney

Joanne Rose Kinney, 90, of Denver, passed away January 31, 2019.


Joanne was born January 2, 1929, to Franklin Alfred and Rose Helena (Johnson) Nugent in rural Madison, South Dakota. She graduated from the one-room Hart School, Orland High School and General Beadle State Teachers College all in or near Madison.

Joanne taught in elementary schools at Brookings, South Dakota and Fairmont, Minnesota.


She met Gordon Williams Kinney in Fairmont, and they were married October 4, 1953, at First United Methodist Church in Madison.


After marrying Gordon, she moved to Colorado and raised two children. In addition to being a homemaker, Joanne also worked as the bookkeeper in her husband's business and later began a successful career as a floral designer.


Joanne had a lifelong love of teaching, and there was never anyone that was too young or too old to be her friend. She was an avid sports fan and enjoyed following and rooting for the Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies and the Denver Nuggets as well as for the Chicago Cubs.


Her greatest joy in life was being a grandmother, and she loved watching her granddaughter Laura swim and listen to her grandson Adam sing and perform in Community Theater.


Joanne volunteered at Tollgate Elementary in Mrs. Herman's first-grade class and for many years in Mrs. Katz's third-grade class. Everyone there knew her affectionately as Gramma Jo.


Joanne was also the chair of the PTA Reflection program for many years at Tollgate Elementary.


Joanne was very proud of the many lives she impacted as a teacher, a parent and as a Grandmother. She was most proud of the contribution she made to her grandchildren, as she was a constant source of love and support to them as young children and as adults.


Joanne was an active member at Burns Methodist Church. She enjoyed singing in the choir and had a beautiful soprano voice. She shared a lifelong love of singing with her brother, and she passed on her love of singing to her grandson.


Joanne is survived by her daughter, Jan Ellen Kinney; son, Ross (Susan) Kinney; two grandchildren, Laura (Chris) Albrecht and Adam (Lindsey) Kinney; sister June Otto, brother, Jim Nugent and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Franklin and Rose Nugent sister Joy Monahan Nugent and her husband, Gordon Williams Kinney.


In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the following organizations:


Burns Memorial Methodist Church
1095 Newark Street
Aurora, CO 80010


The Denver Hospice
501 S. Cherry Street, Suite 700
Denver, Colorado 80246


A Reception for all friends and family of Joanne will be held at Burns Methodist Church, 1095 Newark Street, Aurora, CO 80011 on Wednesday, March 20 at 3:00 pm. Private family services will take place at Ft. Logan National Cemetery.

To share a memory of Joanne or leave a special condolence message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.