Juanita Bandin Alvarado

Born: May 5th, 1934

Died: February 27th, 2020

Born: Eagle Lake, Texas

Daughter of Francisco Bandin and Juana (Parra) Bandin

Juanita was 11th of 15 children

Surviving Siblings: Henry Bandin of Guadalupe, AZ

Juanita leaves:

4 Children: Jaunita (Janie) Kurker, Enrique (Kiki) Carra—deceased—Nellie (Manuela) Leach, Angel Carra, Enrique Carra

7 Grand Children: Guillermo and Isabel Martinez, Amanda Menchaca, Mayra Tasler, Jose and Zoraida Mendoza, Estelle Carra

29 Great Grand Children: Michael Martinez, Ernesto Brito, Anthony Majonica, Guillermo and Antonio Martinez, Cassandra Martinez, Belen Mares, Rodolfo Mares II, Tyler, Alissa , Amie, Ann Dee Menchaca, Daniel and Rictor Ross, Jayson, Shaun, and Jaydon Tasler, Matthew, Sophia, Aliyah, Jacob, and Alexander Mendoza, Gabriel Mendoza, Victor, Alejandro, Xantino, Mia Astorga, Angelica and Jimmy Valles

2 GreatGreat Grand Children: Rafael Soto, Avianna Williams

Her occupation was House Cleaning in Green Valley, Arizona for 53 years which enriched her life with relationships, compassion, generosity. Many clients and their families became dear friends. She loved her work wholeheartedly, and made many lasting relationships that continued up until her death.

Her upbringing was unique. The family moved from Pharr Texas around 1947 to Maricopa, Arizona. Her father and mother bought property to continue their harvesting business. Her parents business hired both local and migrant workers of all nationalities. Requirements: Hard work every day and commitment to the good of their community. They followed crop patterns and travelled to Washington State, Oregon, Texas, Idaho, Arizona, California, and Florida, etc. to work the produce production. Her parents business owned large trucks with Canvass Housing for the workers to set up and live in.

In 1953, she met Angel Carra dated and married him on February 8th, 1954. She gave birth to 5 children. She and Angel moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1964.

In 1967 she and Angel were divorced. Juanita remarried in 1977 to Lorenzo Alvarado, whom she divorced in 1979 She did not remarry again, and resided in Tucson until her death.

Juanita was very devoted to her children. In fact, so much so, that she adopted her granddaughter Estelle Leticia Carra on May 12th, 2003 at the age of 69

Juanita has a huge heart, is extremely generous, and never refused to help anyone in need regardless of whether that person was a family member or not. Yet, she was very independent and fiscally responsible. She learned to be humble in order to accept help when she needed it to provide for her children. Her legacy: Hard Work, Generosity, An Open Home and Heart to friend or family. She was very proud of her own work ethic, family, community, her heritage and her faith. She was passionate about gardening, cooking, fishing, embroidery and spur of the moment trips to the casino.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Tucson Community Food Bank in Memory of Juanita Alvarado by clicking the Donate button.

Tucson Community Food Bank, 3003 S. Country Club Road, Tucson, AZ 85713.

www.communityfoodbank.org