Juanita A. Wilkinson

Juanita A. Wilkinson was born America Juanita Castillo on January 13, 1925 in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands to Ada Battiste and Juancito Castillo. The youngest of five children, she was preceded by Amerigo, Anthony, Maria and Eugenie. When her mother and sister moved to New York to work, Anthony, Amerigo and Juanita were raised for many years by their grandparents, Ana and Joe Battiste. Although her family was of modest means and she grew up during the Great Depression, she always had fond memories of her quiet life on that Caribbean island.

As a teenager, Juanita moved to New York to live with her sister, Maria. After high school, Juanita found employment in the garment industry as a seamstress. She soon met Otto L. Wilkinson, Jr. and in 1948 they were married. They enjoyed an active social life with friends, siblings and cousins who were close in age. In 1960, they purchased a house in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood. The brownstone took on their personality, and it became a gathering place for family and friends as well as a comfortable lodging place for family visiting New York.

Juanita and Otto were blessed with two children, Laura and Frank, who received lots of love and attention as Juanita was a full-time homemaker. With the support of their parents, Laura and Frank left home for college and careers in law and architecture, respectively.

Juanita, Otto and their children took many vacations together. There were numerous trips to St. Thomas to connect with family. In more recent years, Juanita also vacationed with Laura, Frank, Carol, Blisse and Morgan in Europe, South America, and the Caribbean. In addition, Juanita also visited her grandchildren while they were away for high school and college.

One of Juanita’s passions was cooking, particularly baking. Anyone who came to visit was greeted with food cooked to order and a slice of freshly baked cake. Baking was a constant in her life; she baked at least two cakes a week. In 2005, during a celebration of her 80th birthday, she published a selection of her favorite recipes as a memento for guests.

She was a kind and generous person, who always offered a helping hand or listening ear. She gave generously to charities, and loved to send cards and gifts in remembrance of Christmas and special occasions. She also loved animals; she cared for pet dogs and cats at home, and fed birds in the yard.

Juanita was proud of her children and appreciated the closeness she enjoyed with them and her grandchildren. Juanita is survived by her caring children, Laura and Frank with his wife Carol, her loving grandchildren Blisse and Morgan, her brother and sister, Amerigo Castillo and Eugenie Milliner, and their children, as well as nieces and nephews from siblings who preceded her in death, and several cousins. In addition, through her union with Otto, she is survived by sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and cousins. She also leaves other extended family, friends, neighbors and acquaintances who enjoyed her pleasant manner, many of whom had the chance to experience her hospitality.

After a brief illness, on October 20, 2012, Juanita A. Wilkinson made her transition to be with God. She truly will be missed by many family and friends.