Juanita Irene Brabham Syron

Juanita was living proof that good things come in small packages. There was nothing she touched that she didn't make more beautiful, more fun, more tasty, more creative, more meaningful. She expertly and lovingly applied her gifts to her roles as mother, grandmother and friend as well as to a career of teaching, starting that adventure in Waldport, fresh out of Oregon State University. It was in Waldport that she met Larry, marrying him in 1959 and setting in motion their life together for the next 46 years of family-raising, professional and civic contributions and world travel. Juanita devoted most of her teaching career to Gresham High School, retiring in 1995 having touched and influenced so many young lives. She was a believer in potential, as all great teachers must be. She nurtured it in her students, her children, her grandchildren, and through the causes she actively supported. Juanita wasn't much for big fuss or fanfare, preferring rather to let the spotlight shine on others. Her life's story is and will remain an example of beauty, grace, strength and steady, quiet love.

She was the daughter of Paul and Felma, sister of Marvin and Dorothy, wife of Larry, mother of Lynn, Sally and Mike, grandmother of Matthew, Andrew, Paul, Caleb, Nathan and Adam -- six boys! -- great grandmother of eight (she got some girls in that batch), and wonderful friend to her equally wonderful community.

We will celebrate Juanita’s beautiful life Saturday April 7th, 2:00-4:00 at Persimmon Country Club, 500 SE Butler Road in Gresham, Oregon. Any remembrance you wish to make in Juanita's honor toward the Gresham-Barlow Education Foundation, Human Solutions, or other organizations providing for the safety and well-being of children and families would please her so much. Lynn, Sally and Mike and their spouses Steve, Dale and Shari thank the good people of Caring Heart -- Marcia, Liz and Tabitha — for their gentle and kind care of Juanita these past few months. She appreciated and admired you, and so do we.