Joan Eloise Guinn, age 81, passed away peacefully on October 24, 2025, surrounded by her loving family at her home in Mason, Texas.  She was born on June 18, 1944, in Brownwood, Texas, to Ellsworth Elmo Fourmy and Sammie Ruth Johnson, and lived a life defined by strength, grace, and an unwavering commitment to those she loved and to her work.

Eloise grew up in El Paso, where her vibrant personality was evident from a young age.  At Bel Air High School, she was the Football Queen in 1959, Miss Bel Air in 1960, a cheerleader, and active in Student Council, Tartan Troupe (drama club), Future Homemakers of America, and Glee Club.  She married young, became a mother at age 17, and faced life's challenges head-on with remarkable resilience and determination.

In 1966, Eloise joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, El Paso Branch, as a collection messenger in the Transit Department.  After decades of dedication to building a career, she became an officer of the El Paso Branch in 1990.  She had a strong work ethic and refused to settle for anything less than excellence from herself and her employees, whom she cared deeply about.  She always appreciated the professionalism and camaraderie of the bank's work environment.  In 2004, she retired as Assistant Vice President and moved to Aztec, New Mexico.  She had fond memories of her work at the bank, of those she worked with, and of the kindness and support of the cafeteria staff and security guards.  During her retirement years, Eloise often attended the annual dinner hosted by the bank's 25-Year Club.

Eloise lived fully and loved deeply, always wanted to have fun, had a colorful vocabulary, and brought energy and laughter wherever she went.  She collected beautiful hats, many from her favorite shop, Fleur de Paris, in New Orleans.  She liked sports cars and always kept hers in immaculate condition.  She loved jewelry.  She filled her home with artwork by Christine Rosamond, Georgia O'Keeffe, Rudy Montoya Jr., artists of the Diné (Navajo Nation), and many others.  She was an avid reader and had eclectic tastes in subjects and authors.  She loved to travel and visited many places across the United States and overseas.  Everywhere she went, she wanted to experience the unique food, shopping, and sights.  She enjoyed all types of music and dancing.  Among Eloise's favorite activities were practicing Tai Chi and attending Jazzercise classes for many years, finding community and joy in both.

As a mother, Eloise was strict but supportive.  She taught her daughters responsibility through household chores and life lessons.  She was fiercely protective of her girls and their friends, treating her daughters' closest friends as her own.  She hosted wonderful slumber and birthday parties, complete with lots of fun and the most delicious and beautiful cakes from Greggerson's Cake Cottage in El Paso.

Eloise had 26 wonderful years with her companion, Leland Rowe.  In New Mexico, Leland made sure her home was built such that she could wake up every day to a view of the La Plata Mountains from her second-story bedroom.  They spent their time traveling the Four Corners area, riding quads in the desert to take in the beauty of the hoodoos and mesas, camping, and fly fishing on the San Juan River and Navajo Lake.  They shared many memories of their spectacular trips to California and Alaska.

While she lived in New Mexico, Eloise was blessed to have family and friends living nearby.  She enjoyed spending time with her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and routinely attended sporting events and other activities they were involved in.  She always welcomed the opportunity to host family and friends in her home and enjoyed attending a variety of community events.  Her property had the perfect spot for a campfire under the stars, where she and Leland gathered with the grandkids, and everyone told ghost stories.  One of Eloise's favorite things to do was to drive up Colorado's Million Dollar Highway to see the beautiful fall foliage as the sun rose or set.   Driving that highway was challenging, and the experience could be scary, but it did not bother Eloise at all.

In 2020, Eloise moved to Midland, Texas, to be near other family members.  In 2023, she moved with her Midland family to Mason, Texas, thus fulfilling her dream of living in the Texas Hill Country.

During the final years of her life, Eloise enjoyed time with her family.  She celebrated her 80th birthday on the Llano River with family and friends.  She spent precious moments on drives through the hill country, taking in the beautiful scenery and the peacefulness of the experience.  She admired wildflowers along the roadways, and the abundance of prickly pear cactus always got her attention.  A highlight in 2024 was her attendance at the 77th annual dinner of the 25-Year Club at the Federal Reserve Bank in El Paso, where everyone warmly welcomed her and made sure her time with them was extra special.

Eloise was predeceased by many loved ones, including her parents; her first husband, Richard "Zeke" Haley; her second husband, Patrick Guinn; her longtime companion, Leland Rowe; her beloved grandson, an angel, Austin Thomas; and many dear friends.  She is survived by her sister, Merle Fourmy; daughters Nannette Velasquez, Shannon Haley, Amoret Guinn, Ginny Guinn Parsons (and husband, Frank); 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 2 nieces; and a grandniece and grandnephew.  Also surviving are many dear friends, including Claudia Labrado, her best friend from age 5, and Maria "Chita" Silva, who cared for Eloise's daughters and home for many years and is a much-loved member of the family.  Her very dear and long-time friend, Nancy Driscoll, passed away about a month after Eloise.

Eloise's favorite words to those she loved were simple and profound:  "I love you dearly."  She lived those words every day, in every relationship, until her final breath.  Her love as a sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend will be cherished forever.

A private interment service will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Fredericksburg, Texas.

The family is especially grateful to all the friends, extended family, and healthcare workers who made Eloise's life richer and more comfortable in her final years.

In place of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite charity or to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation at https://give.umdf.org/give/153589/#!/donation/checkout . One of Eloise's great-grandsons has a rare mitochondrial disease.