PHNA History: Joan Jones

Hello Neighbors,

As we relaunch the Pat Hurley Neighborhood Association, (PHNA) we do so knowing that the late Joan Jones, our president for over 20 years, would be thrilled that we’re getting back to the important work of serving the community. Iona Barela, a Pat Hurley Neighborhood resident and close friend of Joan, penned this tribute that we’d like to share with you.

- PHNA

L: Joan Jones

Joan Jones Community Center:

A Tribute to a Tireless Leader of the Pat Hurley Neighborhood

By Iona Barela, Pat Hurley Park neighbor

The City of Albuquerque has named one of its newest community centers after Joan Jones, a tireless leader and community advocate of the Pat Hurley neighborhood. Joan Jones Community Center is located in the historic village of Atrisco on Albuquerque’s West Side at Pat Hurley Park.

Joan Jones built upon and improved the Pat Hurley neighborhood from all angles, encouraging and motivating all stakeholders, including neighbors, local school leaders, law enforcement, city officials, and businesses, to get and stay involved. She was a true community champion. There wasn’t a police officer or city official who did not know the name of Joan Jones.

Joan volunteered with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department Reserve Unit and served as Vice-President of the New Mexico Crime Prevention Council.  She spearheaded numerous programs to keep our children and youth safe, including Albuquerque’s Weed and Seed Program. She started and maintained a Neighborhood Watch Program as well as community policing efforts. She responded to her neighbors needing help for anything, including hosting a block party to raise funds for a neighbor’s child in need of a heart-lung transplant. Joan developed close communications with Albuquerque Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, and the Albuquerque Fire Department to facilitate the sharing of information regarding criminal activities to enhance services. She was also part of the Community Emergency Response Team.

Joan served as a volunteer advisory member of Albuquerque’s Planning Department.  She also engaged in a variety of programs serving students at West Mesa High School from raising funds for needed school equipment, working with the Navy JROTC, and even helping out as the first aid staff for school events. She served as the President of the Pat Hurley Neighborhood Association for many years until her health declined and she was no longer able.

Joan Jones did not get to live to see the construction of the community center named in her honor, but our then city councilor, Ken Sanchez, went to visit Joan in the hospital in her last days. He showed Joan the plans so she would know our little part of the city would have a beautiful community center built for all of us to enjoy.

As a community we knew we had lost one of our greatest advocates when Joan passed. At her funeral we commented that even now, Joan was probably starting up a committee in Heaven. That was our Joan. Joan was an amazing leader and a true servant of the people. It is due to her tireless work on behalf of the community and her genuine love for all people that we have the community center we have today. As I imagine Joan would say, “Get involved and get it done!”