Juanita Mae Dew

Juanita “Nita” Mae Dew, 84, loved the Lord and went to her heavenly home on July 6th, 2021. Her devotion to her family and her firm belief in God supported her throughout life and comforted her in the end, as she passed amongst her loved ones in her daughter’s home.

Nita was born in Wenatchee, WA, July 20, 1936, where she was raised by the late George and Helene Firman. She graduated from Wenatchee High School in 1954, attended University of Puget Sound, and took art classes at Wenatchee Junior College. Nita married Robert F. Dew on May 8, 1955. She resided in Eastern Washington and then Western Washington. Nita worked as a dental assistant for many years, owned and operated a flower shop in Stanwood, WA, and was a professional artist with shows in Edmonds and Wenatchee. In recent years, her paintings have hung in the Arlington Library. She was active in church, PTA, Scouting and Rainbow Girls. Nita lived the last 29 years in Arlington near her daughter and her family. She devoted her time to Warm Beach Free Methodist Church, the Arlington Arts Council and Garden Club.

Nita was the perfect example of a mother’s unconditional love to her three children. Nothing was more important to her in life than a relationship with God and family. Nita was lovingly known as Granny and Great Granny to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren she so loved. She was also blessed with dear friends. Nita looked for beauty everywhere. An avid gardener, she filled her yard with trees, shrubs, flowers and a waterfall, attracting a variety of God’s creatures; she especially enjoyed the birds. She was compassionate and constantly looked for ways to serve. She will be dearly missed.

Nita is survived by her sons, Robert (Kari) and Thomas (Anitra) Dew; her daughter, Tamera (Robert) Rist; her grandchildren, Tyler (Beth) Dew, Benjamin (Kelsey) Dew, Amber (Kevin) Engle, William (Dianna) Rist, Mark Nolan, Sara (Jeff) Musser, Erin (Branden) Hall; and her great-grandchildren, Kaden and Kyla Rist, Quinn Dew, Asher Dew, Ariana and Isaac Hall, and Natalie Nolan. She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Forest Dew; her siblings, Jerome Bush and William Bush; and her parents, George and Helene Firman. Her life will be celebrated, and her ashes scattered at a private family gathering along the Washington Coast. In Lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Salvation Army.