Margaret Joan Bain, known to family and friends as Jo, died Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the age of 84. She was born February 9, 1942, in Tucson, Arizona, to William Glenn Johnson and Margaret Ruth Edwards Johnson. Raised in the Tucson area, she attended Catalina High School before beginning a life that would take her across the state and firmly into the circles of neighbors and volunteers who came to rely on her steady presence.
Jo met her husband, Tommie E. Bain, as a teenager at a local hamburger stand called Lotta Burger — a place emblematic of the era when teens gathered to socialize with little more than a jukebox for entertainment. Introduced by a mutual friend, the two dated for about three years before marrying on May 2, 1959, in Tucson. The couple lived in Tucson during their early married years while Tommie served frequently in the U.S. Navy. After approximately a decade in Tucson, they relocated to Tempe, where they lived for 23 years and became active members of their neighborhood.
Portrait published with the obituary: close-up of an elderly woman wearing glasses and a purple blouse, seated indoors.
In Tempe, Jo volunteered at the elementary school at the end of her street, working in the school library and spending time helping children with reading. Her love of books was a defining feature of her life; she was an avid reader who continued her engagement with literature after the family moved to Clarkdale in 1992. There, she took part in the Clarkdale Library’s Summer Reading Program each year and devoted many hours to researching her ancestry at the local Family History Center. Those pursuits reflected a long-standing curiosity about stories, both personal and historical, that she carried throughout her life.
Outdoor adventures were also a major part of Jo’s younger years. An enthusiastic backpacker, she undertook extended trips to a variety of well-known natural landmarks in the Southwest, including Death Valley, Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon, Sycamore Canyon and the Superstition Mountains. Some of those outings lasted a week or more, testimony to a commitment to exploration and the rugged landscape of the region.
Jo was a committed vegetarian for 53 years. Her concern for animals extended beyond diet: she and Tommie adopted many older pets over the years, ensuring those animals spent their final years in a caring home. While living in Tempe, the couple took “Pet CPR” classes to provide better care for the animals they rescued. Neighbors recall that Jo and Tommie were known for pampering their pets and for keeping a watchful, helpful presence in their community.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Tommie Bain; their son, Tommie Glenn Bain; a sister, Carol King; a brother-in-law, Kenneth E. Bain; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, along with many friends and neighbors who played important roles in her later years. The family issued a special thank-you to the neighbors and friends who checked on Jo and Tommie and provided assistance during recent years.
A Memorial Gathering for Jo was held on a clear morning in June in Clarkdale Park, where friends and neighbors shared stories and visited. Burial is scheduled for Monday, July 13, at 10:00 a.m. at Cottonwood City Cemetery, where a graveside gathering will be held for those wishing to attend. Information for this notice was provided by friends.
Arrangements are being handled by Westcott Funeral Home in Cottonwood (1013 East Mingus Avenue, Cottonwood, AZ 86326), which is listed as providing the funeral services. The funeral home’s obituary page hosts a guest book where condolences and memories can be left, and it offers options to plant trees or make donations in her memory.