Julieta Goss Foye

While her father, Joseph Guccioni (who later changed his name to Joseph Goss) was a quiet and reserved man, her mother, Julieta Chavez was a vivacious, energetic woman who became a teacher at the age of 13.

Julieta Goss Foye grew up with little means, and walked long distances with her only sister Esperanza (“Pelancho”) to attend school.

Throughout her life, she had bouts of health issues, but she persevered, and got through the challenges.

During her early years, she was voted “the most intelligent” of her high school class. She had a passion for the English language, in addition to secretarial skills such as typing and shorthand.

Julieta and her sister Pelancho received an excellent education, and Julieta worked as a secretary for a private accountant. Later, she worked at a bank as an assistant to the President in El Paso, Texas.

In 1955, while in El Paso, she met the man she was going to marry for life, Gerald Foye. They got married in 1957, and relocated to Detroit, Michigan, Gerald’s home town. A few years later, their two children were born: Darwin, and then later, Juanita (“Nita”).

After a brief stay in Phoenix, Arizona, the family moved to sunny San Diego, California in 1966. It was here that she pursued various passions such as singing in the Sweet Adelines, a women’s organization that sang barbershop-style harmony.

Also, she, along with her sister had a small boutique business where they created an unusual type of jewelry. The miniature ornamental flowers and petals were made from bread dough which hardened like porcelain.

Julieta was always known as a stylish dresser wearing colorful outfits, many with native floral or exotic shaped patterns. She even had a few garments from the famous Spanish designer Balenciaga, which she was proud of.

She loved gardening and tending to her fruit trees, and was especially fond of her fig tree.

In 1968, she received a knock on the door by two Jehovah’s Witnesses, and this changed her life forever. She embraced the teachings, attended meetings, and participated in bible studies. Two years later, she dedicated her life to Jehovah and was baptized. She conducted many bible studies, and it gave her a great satisfaction in life to see the persons she taught were now in the full time ministry.

Her husband, Gerald was always supportive of her, and eventually he too was baptized 34 years later. She was continually active in her faith (55 years), and even during the recent pandemic she was in contact with her congregation.

Those who knew her appreciated her great sense of humor, always making jokes and witty puns until the very end.

Julieta is survived by her husband Gerald Foye, her two children Darwin and Nita, her son-in-law James Penner, along with her niece Sylvia Parra and nephews Oscar, Sergio, Eduardo (since passed), Ricardo Parra, and numerous cousins throughout the world.

She will be deeply missed, and in our hearts forever…