Jo Egler-Kirkland

July 25, 1944–Jan. 16, 2021

Jo Egler-Kirkland, 76, of Socorro, NM, passed away on January 16, 2021 at home, surrounded by loved ones, after an arduous battle with lung disease.

Jo was born on July 25, 1944 to Thomas and Mary Iarocci in Seminary, Mississippi. She was raised in Patchogue, NY and moved to Socorro in 1974.

Jo enjoyed a long, successful career in administrative services, beginning with General Motors Corp. as an executive administrative assistant when she was 18.  She retired as a Program Manager with SAIC in 2008.

Jo married Emory Egler, a successful mechanical engineer from Brookhaven, NY in 1968.  They were happily married for 39 years before Emory passed away.   Their union was blessed with three girls, Tracy, Jennifer and Gina.

In 2016, Jo married Russell Kirkland and found years of happiness, travel, companionship, and baseball.  She became very close to Russ’ daughters, LeeAnn and Dana.  These were very happy times for Jo as her disease began to take hold.

Jo was a committed and wonderful mother and adored in her community.  She excelled at balancing being tough and nurturing at the same time.  She has supported many family and friends through the many passions and difficulties of their lives.

Jo was a skilled gourmet cook, an expert in the art of crochet and an avid lover of books.  When she wasn’t entertaining, she could be found in her kitchen practicing her hobbies. We will miss her greatly.

Jo was predeceased by her father, Thomas Iarocci, her mother, Mary Iarocci, her sister, Jacqueline Haller and her first husband, Emory Egler.

She is survived by her husband, Russell Kirkland, her brother, Thomas Iarocci, her sister, Debra Kempf, her daughters, Tracy Egler, Jennifer Murphy, Gina Egler and her grandchildren, Heidi Nelson, Liam Roback, Emma Roback and Eryn Esquibel.

The family will be providing an online life celebration website in the near future. There will be a an in-person memorial as soon as current events allow.

The family requests that any gifts be made as donations to either the Disabled American Veterans of Socorro or Animal Protective Association of Socorro.  All donations are being managed through First State Bank of Socorro.  To donate, checks may be made out to the Jo Egler-Kirkland Memorial Fund and sent to: Jo Egler-Kirkland Memorial Fund, P.O. Box Z, Socorro, NM  87801.  Please indicate the charitable cause of your choice in the memo line so that your kindness can be allocated appropriately.

To view information or leave a condolence, please visit www.danielsfuneral.com. Jo’s care has been entrusted to:

Daniels Family Funeral Services

309 Garfield St

Socorro, NM 87801

575-835-1530

El Defensor Chieftain