Juanita Purella Marking

She was a loving Mother to Tammy and Jean and their respective spouses Brian and Rod. Her two grandsons Kyle and Ellis dearly loved their Grandmother and she was so proud of them both. She is also survived by her brother Bernard and his wife Cheryl who treated Juanita with the love and kindness of a true sister. Also survived by Bernard and Cheryl’s daughters Krista married to Mike Sweeney and Kari married to Jim Easterly who are married and their two daughters, Abigail and Kate. Juanita is survived by her sister Arlinda Burghorst from Sioux Falls, South Dakota and her son Scott Burghorst and his family. Juanita is also survived by her first husband, Laverne Marking from the Tri-Cities. Together, they worked very hard to provide and strived to raise fine children. She was preceded in death by both her parents and her son John Marking. Also, her loving long time companion Gary Hurley preceded her in death. Many of Gary’s family continued to have a special relationship with Juanita and she so enjoyed their friendship and considered them part of her family.

She retired from the Yakima School District and Regional Hospital as a long tenured food service professional after her health began to decline. She was often recognized and awarded for her exceptional work. She obtained the Washington Award for Excellence in Education, The Golden Acorn Award, many times recognized as Employee of the Month at Robertson Elementary School and at Regional Hospital. She felt true joy while working at Robertson Elementary when she was able to witness the eagerness of the children when they were helping in the kitchen and their eagerness to learn. Juanita looked forward to the yearly traditional Thanksgiving lunch at school where they would serve hundreds of students and family members. Juanita felt blessed to have been able to work with so many wonderful co-workers and staff over the years. She considered so many friends and enjoyed lunching with the ladies after she retired due to her health.

Juanita was fortunate to have many friends and great neighbors who were not just neighbors but also friends. She felt especially blessed and was so very thankful for her neighbors Leo and Vivian Dormaier and Dale and Linda Sumner. They frequently lent her assistance and helped her in so many ways over the years. They also ensured she was well as her health declined. They not only gave Juanita unconditional love, friendship and prayers but also extended it to her daughters.

Juanita developed a true passion for Ford Mustangs. She owned multiple vehicles and Gary would meticulously restore them. Their passion took them too many Western states on road trips to car shows. They won multiple awards and trophies showing their favorite blue fastback restored Mustang. They would look forward to the travel and adventures often meeting up with friends and family. They were members of the in Yakima Mustang Club.

Juanita’s cooking was unsurpassed and she loved to share her talent with others. She became a serious cookbook collector over time. She would enjoy trying new recipes and made homemade fresh peach ice cream for the first time this summer.

Juanita was an avid gardener and took great pleasure tending to her flowers and yard. She got such pleasure in having a beautifully landscaped yard. Yearly, she would search for a new plant or flowers to add to a perfect spot in her garden. She never considered maintaining her yard as work but viewed it as a time to relax and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.

Juanita and her daughters were blessed to work with the professionals at Memorial Hospice. They enabled Juanita to be cared for at home and honor her wishes for her final care and days. Her primary nurse Tana who supported Juanita and her family both physically, emotionally and spiritually. We will be forever grateful for her expertise and caring nature.

Juanita’s presence and her goodness on earth will be dearly missed. We will be comforted by her spirit and the memories she created for all of us to call to mind.

A graveside service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 18, 2012 at Tahoma Cemetery. To share a memory of Juanita, please visit www.keithandkeith.com