Joann B. Nevils

Joann B. Nevils passed away Monday, March 24, 2025, in Durango, surrounded by love. She was 78 years old.

Joann was born March 1, 1947, to Francis & Janet Blankenship in San Diego, California. She grew up in the La Jolla area and graduated from La Jolla High School. She loved playing tennis, volleyball, and spending time at the beach.

After leaving La Jolla, she and her husband meandered the Colorado wild, camping and exploring and looking for a place to take root. After some time, they landed in the Durango area in the early 1970s.

Joann raised her 2 children here in Durango. She worked at the Durango Public Library and was very active in the local theatre community starting with thespian troupe 1096 in 1992 after her son excitedly raised his hand and volunteered her help. She worked with Merely Players all the way till the end, preparing for their latest show. Joann was a very gifted seamstress and costume designer. You could also find her hard at work designing and creating amazing items for her business, Colorado Comfort, building plush toys, clothes, and other items out of old vintage chenille’s and quilts.

Joann enjoyed traveling, visiting loved ones in San Diego, Los Angeles, and back east where she would get to watch all the Broadway shows and sing along happily. She enjoyed a colorful life full of amazing friends and family, good laughs, lots of animals, and tons of fun and love.

She is survived by her children: Bucky (Vincent) and Janette (Ivan); grandson: Jonas; siblings: Jan and Susan (Dan) Blankenship; beloved cats: Rigby and Ronald.

Her celebration of life will be held at the Underground on Sunday, April 6. For more details please contact buckyandjanette@gmail.com.