Joann Levitt

Viva la Doctora

Soon the taps will sound for Dr JoAnn N. Levitt as she joins her beloved husband, Col. Robert J. Levitt, at Arlington Cemetery in Washington DC. Dr. Levitt was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army Nursing Core of the U. S. Army in 1949.

Dr Levitt passed away at her home on January 21st following eight years of declining health. During this time she was cared for by her oldest son Robert, his wife Martha Cornil and caregiver Maria Martinez. For the past 10 months she resided with her youngest son Richard at Cochran Memorial Hospital in Morton Texas. Richard and his staff provided her with quality care both physically and emotionally. She felt the staff was a part of her family. It was always Dr. Levitts desire to die at home and that was granted. Once again she was surrounded by family, friends and the staff of Vista Care Hospice as she made her final exit.

Dr. Levitt entered this world as the daughter of Warren and Francis Gorton in Plymouth, Michigan on a fall day, September 25, 1925. Dr Levitts husband Col. Robert J. Levitt preceded her in death in 1990. Her parents also preceded her in death as well as her sister Carrie. She is survived by her sister Kay Koch and her husband Ronald, one brother, Owen Gorton. She is also survived by her four children Robert and his wife Martha Cornil, her daughter Patricia, William and his wife Kimberly, and Richard and his wife Eva Herrera. Four grandchildren, Rebecca Jo, Kyle, Ashley and Joshua and four great grandchildren Micaela Marie, Mason Robert, and newly arrived twins Micah and Mariana three nephews Charles Stevens, Bill Koch, David Gorton and two nieces Carol Koch and Sue Lyles.

Dr. Levitt and her family moved to Roswell in 1973. Here she began to set down roots that have grown very deep. Her medical practice in Anesthesiology lasted from 1973 until her retirement in 1987. She was appointed by Governor Toney Anaya as secretarytreasurer of the NM State Medical Examiners board. She served an unprecedented term of 10 years.
As a member of the American Association Medical Association, Dr. Levitt served as alternate delegate for six years. As a member of New Mexico Medical Society she held just about every office and served on about every committee. In 1989 she became the second woman to hold the office of President and the first since 1915. County Medical Society the local physician organization gave her opportunity to serve the medical community holding all the offices, and committees and this time, in 1980 she became first woman president of the organization that is recorded.

Dr. Levitt was a great supporter of medical assistants. The New Mexico Society of Medical Assistants nominated her for physician liaison to the national organization, American Association of Medical Assistants. At the annual meeting of AAMA in New Orleans she soon began her campaign, greeting and shaking hands with the 1200 medical assistants so they would know who she was. Although she did not know it the bankers were also holding a convention. Not knowing which who medical assistants was and which were bankers she greeted them all. She was chosen to the physician liaison and we teased her that she was also chosen the friendliest banker at the convention.
Dr. Levitt was a consuer of life she continually learned new things among her hobbies were gardening, photography, sculpturing and ceramics she made a doll in the image of her daughter Trisha.

Her life was full of travels all over the world each an adventure. In 1966 a doctor was needed in Uruguay to administer a new cancer serum developed in the United States. They requested an American doctor to administer the serum. On the appointed day of the doctors arrival an entourage of governments officials, medical specialists and heads of clinics, hospital and medical schools, waited with anticipation at the airport for the American doctor to come through the VIP entrance with the miracle drug in hand. From time to time, the dignity of this solemn occasion was distracted by a half English, half Spanish commotion from the customs inspection line at the other end of the airport. Some woman was causing a scene with the customs officials. The waiting delegation was visible concerned and hoped that the American doctor would not witness the commotion as he arrived. Finally the Chief of Customs walked over to the delegation and said: Which of you wants to authorize some woman into the country carrying drugs. She successfully completed her task, won the hearts, admiration and respect of everyone. She departed with echoes of Viva la Doctora that are still remembered to this day.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to ENMURoswell Foundation, Nursing Program, P O Box 6000, Roswell, NM 882026000.

Family and Friends are invited to A Celebration of the Life of JoAnn N. Levitt MD, to share stories on February 1, 2012 at 11 AM in the Bassett Room at the Roswell Museum and Art Center located at 912 N Main, Roswell NM.

Service

Celebration of Life

Roswell Museum and Art CenterBassett Room
912 N. Main
Roswell, NM  88201
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
11:00 am

Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, VA  22211

Memorial Contributions

PO Box 6000
Roswell, NM  88202