Juanita Arieta

  The best way to describe Juanita Arieta is that she was a wonderful and caring Mother, Mother-in-law, Grandmother, Aunt, Nana and friend. She was her childrens’ biggest cheerleader and worried about them up until the day she passed.

Her parents were Josephine Cota and Salvadore Garcia. Juanita was raised in Oakland, California with three siblings: an older sister Lena Perez, a younger brother Salvadore Garcia, and a younger sister, Lupe Arieta. She attended Tompkins Grade School in West Oakland. She also attended Saint Vincent’s Day Home in West Oakland and enjoyed helping the nuns.

Juanita's personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time.” Her children fondly remember “re-working” projects when they “didn’t cut the mustard”. They learned to take pride in their work and hope to pass that along to others as well. She graduated from Oakland Tech High School in 1937. While growing up, some of her best friends were Ruth Woldman, Stella Gamba, "The Kappa Nappas" including Rose Noble, Dorthy Arca and Liz Biscochi. She became very close friends with the girls from the Birthday Club including Audrey Sorce, Barbara Moyles, Grace Fascilla, Flora Boscovich, and Ailene Emerson. The Birthday club met monthly for close to 50 years and Juanita always cherished their Christmas parties. Other friends included Martha Brown, Anna Bond, Edith Cress and Irene Cahill.

On June 29, 1957 Juanita exchanged wedding vows with Joseph Philip Arieta at the St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral of Reno, Nevada. Juanita was ever watchful of her children. She worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. She maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Juanita would give her stamp of approval to their requests as long as she could see how they might benefit. She also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that her children were properly raised. Juanita was blessed with four children, Leslie, Jeffery, Lisa and Lynsey. She took great pride in the fact that all four of her children and three of her grandchildren graduated from college (two with advanced degrees). She also had 3 adoring sons-in-law – Fred Rau, Phil Devitt and Adrian Hayes. She was blessed with six grandchildren and two great grandchildren: Megan Larson, Erin and Kristen Rau, Karley, Drew and Dyllan Devitt and two great grandchildren, Abigail and John Larson. Juanita had many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews that she adored.

Juanita was a jack of many trades. During WWII she painted ships. She also worked for Del Monte, Safeway, Lucky’s and Gallo Salami. Juanita always took great pride in any job she did. She instilled in her children the value of “always do your best and take pride in what you do”. She enjoyed working and the people with whom she worked. Juanita approached her leisure time in the same manner that she approached her life. Her favorite pursuits were sewing, cooking, taking care of the grandkids, tending her rose garden, going to the Columbo Club in Oakland and most of all - shopping. She also was a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were the Oakland A's, of whom she was an avid fan.

She was a member the Assumption Parish in San Leandro for close to 50 years.

Favorite vacations included several cruises, one of the most memorable being the Panama Canal with Audrey and Tom Sorce. She also enjoyed her trips to Mexico, Disneyland, Yosemite and Washington D. C. One of her favorite vacations was a gathering of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in Sunriver, Oregon last Summer. She said that this was the best time of her life because she was surrounded by her family.

Juanita was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of Juanita's favorites was Tessa. They were best friends for 5 years. Her family was rounded out by her other dogs Floppsie, Heidi, Tasha and Buffy. She loved them in spite of the fact that they didn’t mind her much and were spoiled.

When Juanita's retirement finally arrived in 1996, she was well prepared. In retirement, she found new pleasure in babysitting, cooking, and shopping for her grandchildren. Juanita passed away on December 22, 2008 peacefully in her home in San Ramon, California. Juanita was diagnosed with lung cancer just one month ago. She is survived by her children Leslie, Jeffrey, Lisa and Lynsey. She is also survived by her grandchildren Megan, Erin, Kristen, Karley, Drew, Dyllan as well as great grandchildren Abigal and John. Services will be held at the Church of The Assumption. Juanita will be laid to rest in Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery in Hayward California.

All who knew her would agree that Juanita lived her life with her feet firmly on the ground. She had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in her thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. She was willing to share her ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Juanita Arieta did her best to ensure that her family, friends, loved ones, and everyone whose life she touched were given the chance to become a better person.