Juanita was born January 13, 1947, in Donna, Texas and is preceded in death by parents Francisco and Florencia Zavala. Juanita is survived by her husband Jesus Pantoja and their children Jesse (Marivel) Pantoja, Amy (Christopher) Hernandez grandchildren Jeremy Castillo (28), Matthew Castillo (25) Isaac Daniel Cantu (18), Isabella Pantoja (16), Emma Pantoja (14), and Sophia Pantoja (12). She is also survived by her brothers and sisters Pablo (+ Carmen) Zavala, Maria Elena (Luis) Balderas, Josie Zavala, Francisco Zavala (+Mary), Jose (Yolanda) Ybarra, Rita Zavala Alejandro, Guadalupe (Irma) Zavala, and extended family members and friends.
She was a friend and mentor to so many in the nursing community. Juanita was a nurse for 25 years until the day she retired in 2017. Juanita worked for 25 years at the Hidalgo County Health Department in Donna, Texas. During her nursing career, she worked at various health care agencies including Knapp Medical Center and John Knox Village Nursing Home in Weslaco, Texas to include several home health agencies and Mi Casa Adult Day Care Center in Mercedes, Texas.
Juanita was a devoted church member at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Donna, Texas. The family would like to extend their gratitude to physician Dr. Christopher Levert in Katy, Texas.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Cashner Funeral Home.