Juanita L. Mendoza

When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Juanita L. Mendoza who was indeed a born manager. She will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic with a stern hand, yet very loving in her discipline. She was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with her throughout her life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Juanita was an individual who clearly communicated to those around her just who she was and what she was all about. Everyone acquainted with Juanita knew her as a well-respected woman who was a stable force in her family and community.

Juanita was born on January 31, 1922 in her paternal grandmother's home in Mexico, in Mexico City, D.F. Her parents were Jose Lopez Cuevas and Margarita Sylvia Martinez Cervantes. Juanita was raised in California. Her father was a labor contractor and they worked in the fields all over the state of California, eventually settling in Bakersfield where he remarried. Even as a youngster, Juanita learned to be objective and decisive. Her faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that she carried with her throughout her life.

As a young girl, Juanita was able to put her natural abilities to work. Helping to make sure that the others did what they should do and that they avoided those things they were not supposed to do. In other words, she liked to organize and direct. Juanita was raised with five siblings. She was the youngest of her parents marriage. Her siblings names were, Josephine, Abel, Reynaldo, Anita and she had three younger sisters from her father's second marriage: Adela, Elisa and Leonor. She also had two younger brother's from her mother's second marriage: Arturo and Lucio. Juanita had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Juanita, this was a natural order of life, one she gladly embraced.

Juanita's matter-of-fact attitude about most things was developed during her childhood. As a young girl, Juanita enjoyed being part of teams, and organizations and groups of other kids who shared similar interests. Juanita took part in singing competitions and even sang on the radio. She was a good daughter and helped her father and her family by working in the fields at a very young age. In her spare time she liked to sing songs and spend time with her sister Anita and her older sister Josephine. Juanita's memorable achievements included graduating from high school and attending college, although she was not a college graduate she worked 20 years at California State University Fresno as a Nutritionist and was in charge of the purchasing and preparing of the meals at the University's day care center.

In school, Juanita was as close to being a model student as one could possibly imagine. She sought to achieve perfect attendance in all of her classes. She would eagerly complete her homework, and often put in extra study time when she felt it was necessary. A logical and focused thinker, Juanita was always good at following directions and meeting her schedules, whether they were set by her teachers or were self-imposed. Juanita’s personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was English.

An objective and conscientious individual, Juanita reveled in the security of her family. On Valentine's Day 1965 Juanita exchanged wedding vows with Andres Najjar Mendoza at the court house of King City, California. One of Juanita’s most endearing qualities was her uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and her unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for her family and friends.

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 five children from a previous marriage to Jose Talavera; Delia, Carmelita, Raul, Olivia, John Robert and from her marriage with Andres; Juanita Angel and Margarita Andrea. They were also blessed with Twenty-two grandchildren from both of her marriages., Delia Linda, Alfredo, Ramon, Leticia Mia, Carlos Antonio, Tommy, Adam, Sara, Carmen, Joel Rene, Sophia Belen, Sonja Beth, Juan Amado 'John Boy', Michael, Rene. Grand children she had with Andres Mendoza include; Teresa Hope, Jenne Kiono Aiko Maximilian Maria Kolbe, Carlos Moises, Jose Luis II 'Louie' and Julian Vidal, at the time of her passing she had three great grand children two from her grand daughter Teresa; Vera Faith and Drake Andres and one from her grandson Julian; Julez Jace Sebastyan. From her first marriage Juanita also had numerous grandchildren and great grand children and a few great great grandchildren as well.

Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Juanita was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. She was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Juanita was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. She worked cooperatively and expected the same from her colleagues. In both her personal and professional environments, Juanita upheld her standards. Her primary occupation was as a migrant worker during her youth and part of her first marriage. She also worked as a singer and she worked in a packing house and as a waitress, where she met Andres Mendoza. After her marriage to Andres she worked as a CNA in skilled nursing facilities until she moved to Fresno, California in 1976 where she started working at Fresno State until 1992. She was employed with the State of California from 1976 until 1992, Sixteen years. Juanita was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”

Juanita approached her leisure time in the same manner that she approached her life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, she appreciated the hours she was able to devote to her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were singing and cooking, she also enjoyed rodeos and attended many rodeos with her family to watch her husband Andres perform in rodeos from 1966 until 2006, when they moved to Espino Quarterhorse Ranch in Strathmore, California to live near her daughter Margarita.

Faith was important to Juanita. She held high moral standards and was worried about the moral decay she saw around her. For that reason she held deep spiritual beliefs that she was willing to share. She was a member of Our lady of Perpetual Help Church from 1980.

Juanita passed away on December 9, 2015, at 12 midnight, at Providence Lindsay Garden Skilled Nursing Facility, Lindsay, California. Mom always said she was perfectly fine that she was healthy and there was nothing wrong with her. Juanita survived Tuberculosis in 1931, Tonsillectomy in 1951, Hysterectomy in 1964, Appendectomy in 1983, diagnosed with Diabetes 1989, Pacemaker 1992, she had a Hernia repaired and Gall bladder removed and Carpal tunnel surgery on her left wrist in 1996, she got Blood poisoning from a hangnail on her pointer finger had surgery on trigger finger 1997, eye surgery on left eye 1999, she was hospitalized twice for retaining water in her heart once in 2000 and again in 2001, Dislocated shoulder from a fall 2001, Open heart Surgery-Bypass surgery with aortic repair Dec 31, 2003, Defibrillator Feb 2004, Laser surgery on her right eye May 2005. in June of 2006 Juanita moved with her husband Andres to Strathmore, California where she lived until Dec 31, 2009. During these three and a half years she was in good spirits and good health maintaining regular doctor appointments and treatment for her diabetes and congenital heart failure. On Dec 31, 2009 she fell and hit her head so hard that he lost her short term memory and re dislocated her shoulder. Juanita was hospitalized for two weeks and upon her released was sent to live in a skilled nursing facility because she needed 24 hour care and also because of her memory loss. Andres was by her side every day, he made her breakfast and took her lunches and dinner and spent the majority of the day with her. He neglected his own health and 5 and 1/2 after living on his own, he was hospitalized with internal bleeding and passed away on May 28, 2010. After his passing Juanita was transferred to Lindsay Skilled Nursing Facility in Lindsay, California where she lived until her death on Dec 9, 2015 Juanita died of old age, she was 93 years old would have turned 94 in January 2016.

She is survived by her seven children and their families. Services were held at Tinkler Funeral Chapel, Fresno, California. Juanita was laid to rest in Our Lady of Guadalupe Memorial Garden Cemetery in Fresno, California next to her Beloved Husband Andres Mendoza.

All who knew her would agree that Juanita was a pillar of strength in her family. She 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 L. Mendoza did her best to ensure that her family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life she touched was given the chance to become a better person.

Mom, you will be greatly missed, we all loved you so very much.