Joanne Pinto

JoAnne Marie Pinto, age 74, passed away on Friday, April 27, 2018, at her home in Casa Grande, Arizona. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 12, 1943, JoAnne was the older of two children born to Dr. Joseph Charles and Catherine (Cass) Rose Pinto. Their family of four was tightly bound by their deep Italian roots and by their shared experiences as the family of a career Navy doctor.
As a Navy brat, JoAnne traveled widely and lived in many places, including Baltimore, Maryland; New Orleans, Louisiana; Quantico, Virgina; and Morocco. In 1959, the family moved to Yuma, Arizona, where Jo attended Yuma High School, graduating in 1961. It was in Yuma that she developed her love of horses - a passion that was to be life-long. Spending most of her free time at the stables - for the horses and the cowboys!
- Jo became an accomplished rider, active in a Western riding group, competing in barrel racing at the Yuma Rodeo, and performing in parades and other civic events. In 1960, as a junior in high school, she was chosen runner-up Yuma Rodeo Queen. JoAnne continued to own and ride horses for many years, giving it up after being thrown from a horse and
suffering an injury in 1999.
Between 1961 and 1965, JoAnne attended the University of Arizona and Mount St. Mary’s College in Bel Air, California studying Sociology and Anthropology. While in California, she met Edmund (Ed) Graack. They married in 1966. Prior to moving to Casa Grande, JoAnne and Ed made their home in San Diego, Yuma and Tucson. While living in Tucson, their two children, Joseph John and Catherine (Cassie) Marie were born.
JoAnne was a lover of books and a true advocate of lifelong learning. She collected a houseful of books and read non-stop, enjoying all variety of prose, but especially novels and anything to do with Star Trek. She took great pleasure in sharing and discussing books with friends and co-workers. JoAnne not only loved to read, she loved to write and had a real appreciation for the power of words. These traits served her well when - in her 60s - she undertook years of study at Western International University and the University of Phoenix to earn four degrees: a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Administration and a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Business Administration.
Professionally, JoAnne worked several jobs using her business skills, but the work that meant the most to her was her 12 years, starting in 2006, as women’s and children’s counselor at Against Abuse, Inc. She particularly LOVED the kids and was devoted to doing what she could to make their lives better. During her time at AAI, she was also
active in the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Victim Services Program, Juvenile Probation Restorative Justice Advisory Council and Children’s Lethality Review Board. JoAnne was also an active member of Toastmaster International.
JoAnne is survived by her children, Joseph Graack (Laurie) of Santa Maria, California, and Cassie Pinto of Liberty, Kentucky; and her six grandchildren: Anika, John, Matt, Luke, and Hanna and Matthew. Other survivors include her sister, Patricia (Pat) Griffen and her husband, Jeff Fairman, of Casa Grande; and nieces, April and Angela, and
nephews, Alex and Eric.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 18, 2018, at J. Warren Funeral Home in Casa Grande, Arizona. A reception will follow in The Gardens at J. Warren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to
Against Abuse, Inc., P.O. Box 10733, Casa Grande, AZ 85130.