Juanita Franken Wade

Juanita Franken Wade was a Fresno County Sheriff, a critical care registered nurse, commercial pilot, small business owner and sailboat captain when women did not do any of those things. She was also a mother, grandmother and great grandmother who enjoyed loving and spoiling her family. She was born on August 20, 1941, and passed away on January 13, 2025.

As a sheriff and pilot, she successfully transported some of the most dangerous criminals in the U.S. As the charge nurse responsible for the ICU and emergency room, she enjoyed giving instructions to paramedics over the radio … a lot.

When she passed away, the company she founded with her husband and subsequently ran after he died was sending flags throughout the United States and even to other countries. Her business card read, “Boss Lady.”

She enjoyed sailing and remained upset that she failed to win a prestigious all women's sailboat race because the mast collapsed just before the finish line. If she could have paddled across the line, she would have done it. Her tenacity was legendary.

She was born in upstate New York in a tiny town that does not even show up as a map dot and snow is measured in feet. The area is now part of the Adirondack National Park. She graduated from St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital School of Nursing which is now part of Utica College of Syracuse University on a national honor society scholarship.

She moved to California, married her first husband Bruce Waters, and had three smart and funny kids that adored her. Later, she married her second husband Seaborn H. Wade and founded the business that bears his name, Seaborn Canvas. While running the business after his death, she raised her kids, spoiled her five grandkids, and doted on her four great grandkids. She did all of this while also achieving milestones that were unheard of during her lifetime.

As a member of the Elks, she supported our military and veterans and loved talking to them while she served bar-b-que at the Santa Monica VA. She also enjoyed visiting Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club and discussing her favorite subjects, food, and politics. She was tough, fearless and one of a kind. We will miss her more than you will know.