Juanita and I shared a love of Job's Daughters. She asked me to cook burgandy beef for about 45 people and loaned me a roaster pan to hold it all.  Spent all day prepping and cooking the burgandy beef, which smelled so good.  Funny thing though; the roaster pan was too heavy to lift into my car for the drive to Roseville!  Had to transfer the meal to smaller containers.  It all worked out, and Juanita was most appreciative.  Rest well my friend, till we meet again!

Hal and I remember Aunt Nita in the kitchen too!  Always cooking up a storm and always with a big smile to greet you!  She was a great Aunt and she will be missed.  Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

Hello my name is Deanna King; I am Shirley's daughter and a niece of Aunt Nita's.I am here because I felt compelled to talk about the impact Aunt Nita has had in my life.
My first remembrance of Aunt Nita was when I was 5; we had just driven down from Fremont for one of Aunt Nita's infamous “Thanksgivings”.   My mother had made a German Chocolate Cake beautifully wrapped in cellophane and quite a treat in the 1960's.  Well on the way down I stuck my foot in the cake.  My mother was so upset and I was too cause I knew how much Mom was so proud of this cake.   When we got there Aunt Nita was so reassuring to both my Mom and me that it was ok.  She said let's just cut the foot print out of the cake and put it on the table with the rest of the desserts.   I considered her an awesome aunt from that moment on.
As I grew up we would continue to go to aunt Nita's for thanksgiving and since we moved to Antelope we could go quite a bit.   I will always remember Aunt Nita was always on top of the latest “proper way to do things” like
Doctors say you should eat your meal then drink your milk. Or
The surgeon general says smoking is bad (she quit the moment it came out)
Exercise is good for you (She started the minute that news came out)
You were too old to trick or treat at 12.  (I never did get that one).
My cousin Tammy and I would say (Aunt Nita thinks she knows everything).   
While growing up she was an amazing comfort for my Mom Shirley her youngest sister. If my parents were arguing my Mom could always pack up us 5 kids and go stay with Aunt Nita.  She was always there with open arms.  When the bombs went off and blew up our home who did we stay with Aunt Nita.  She was there when my mother died some 30 years ago, right by my mother's side to the very last moment.  I was so young and so afraid of what was happening to my Mom and Aunt made it a point to comfort my by telling me about the final moments and how at peace my mother was.  To this day I truly appreciate everything she ever did for my Mom.

I became a mother 9 months and two weeks after my mom passed and who was there in the hospital (My Aunt Nita).  As she held my daughter (Robin) who I named after my sister who I truly love, she looked at me and said she felt it was Shirley coming back to us.   (My daughter does have that loving nature my mom had).

After more Children Aunt Nita had more advice like

Lay the baby on back not the belly.
Don't let the baby go to sleep with a bottle in its mouth.  Ear infections you know.  Things like that.  

As my children grew I found myself acting more and more like my Aunt Nita.  One day I realized Aunt Nita really did know everything.

I remember coming over to visit her and Uncle Buster when he was sick around the start of the Iran War, they were both sitting on the bed side by side watching the news.  She was a comfort to him.  I knew at that moment that this is the relationship I want to build with my husband Pat.  Her role –modeling was endless.   Her devotion to community and family has always been something I aspired to.

The last 4 times I've gone to visit her she has not remembered me.  But I still sat there and talked about my children, my brothers and sisters and she would nod, making me feel good.   The last time It was funny she couldn't remember me but she could remember the Giants game was about to come on.  I thought that was really cute.

Lastly I Just Want Aunt Nita to know that I play poker with 5 women and 4 of us were Job's Daughters.  One even was an honored Queen in Minnesota.  We play for a small amount of money but more importantly that winner gets to take home the Honored Queen crown and keep it until we play again.  I hope she gets a kick out of that.

Thank you!

Hello my name is Deanna King; I am Shirley's daughter and a niece of Aunt Nita's.I am up here because I felt compelled to talk about the impact Aunt Nita has had in my life.
My first remembrance of Aunt Nita was when I was 5; we had just driven down from Fremont for one of Aunt Nita's infamous “Thanksgivings”.   My mother had made a German Chocolate Cake beautifully wrapped in cellophane and quite a treat in the 1960's.  Well on the way down I stuck my foot in the cake.  My mother was so upset and I was too cause I knew how much Mom was so proud of this cake.   When we got there Aunt Nita was so reassuring to both my Mom and me that it was ok.  She said let's just cut the foot print out of the cake and put it on the table with the rest of the desserts.   I considered her an awesome aunt from that moment on.
As I grew up we would continue to go to aunt Nita's for thanksgiving and since we moved to Antelope we could go quite a bit.   I will always remember Aunt Nita was always on top of the latest “proper way to do things” like
Doctors say you should eat your meal then drink your milk. Or
The surgeon general says smoking is bad (she quit the moment it came out)
Exercise is good for you (She started the minute that news came out)
You were too old to trick or treat at 12.  (I never did get that one).
My cousin Tammy and I would say (Aunt Nita thinks she knows everything).   
While growing up she was an amazing comfort for my Mom Shirley her youngest sister. If my parents were arguing my Mom could always pack up us 5 kids and go stay with Aunt Nita.  She was always there with open arms.  When the bombs went off and blew up our home who did we stay with Aunt Nita.  She was there when my mother died some 30 years ago, right by my mother's side to the very last moment.  I was so young and so afraid of what was happening to my Mom and Aunt made it a point to comfort my by telling me about the final moments and how at peace my mother was.  To this day I truly appreciate everything she ever did for my Mom.

I became a mother 9 months and two weeks after my mom passed and who was there in the hospital (My Aunt Nita).  As she held my daughter (Robin) who I named after my sister who I truly love, she looked at me and said she felt it was Shirley coming back to us.   (My daughter does have that loving nature my mom had).

After more Children Aunt Nita had more advice like

Lay the baby on back not the belly.
Don't let the baby go to sleep with a bottle in its mouth.  Ear infections you know.  Things like that.  

As my children grew I found myself acting more and more like my Aunt Nita.  One day I realized Aunt Nita really did know everything.

I remember coming over to visit her and Uncle Buster when he was sick around the start of the Iran War, they were both sitting on the bed side by side watching the news.  She was a comfort to him.  I knew at that moment that this is the relationship I want to build with my husband Pat.  Her role –modeling was endless.   Her devotion to community and family has always been something I aspired to.

The last 4 times I've gone to visit her she has not remembered me.  But I still sat there and talked about my children, my brothers and sisters and she would nod, making me feel good.   The last time It was funny she couldn't remember me but she could remember the Giants game was about to come on.  I thought that was really cute.

Lastly I Just Want Aunt Nita to know that I play poker with 5 women and 4 of us were Job's Daughters.  One even was an honored Queen in Minnesota.  We play for a small amount of money but more importantly that winner gets to take home the Honored Queen crown and keep it until we play again.  I hope she gets a kick out of that.

Thank you!

I am so glad Nita is at peace now.  I can just see the four Holley girls with Mom and Dad now. Buster and his family too.  I won't worry about you anymore Nita--you are in good hands! I know you were so tired Nita, and when God said "come to me,"  You went. Love you always.Helen

Nita was always a great addition to our 4th of July Parties at The Slacks in Folsom. She had a sense of humor and style that is missed by us old folks!
Keith and Helen Slack (Palo Alto, CA)

To all the close family and friends of Aunt Nita, you are all in my prayers.  I pray that even though Aunt Nita will be deeply missed, and you will all mourn, that you will be able keep in mind and heart all the love and wonderful memories she has left you with and draw your comfort from knowing that she had a full life with lots of family and friends who loved her.  I have very warm and loving memories of Aunt Nita and Uncle Buster coming for visits.  I always looked forward to those times.  Even though I haven't seen her in several years, she has always and will always hold a sweet spot in my heart. God Bless you all.

If anyone doesn't mention this woman's incredible enchiladas it would be a crime!  I remember Aunt Nita in the kitchen just cooking away.  She would always let me come in and help her.  

She was always kind to me and treated me like I was someone worth her time...not just another kid running around her house.  I always loved her so very much, and Uncle Buster too. Now, they are in Heaven together celebrating with the many loved ones that have gone before them.  

Prayers and blessings go out to the family, I know how painful losing your mother can be.  

Love, 
Verena Sullivan-Douglas

Patty Cake, Steph & Jen, Alex, Katie, Milo & Willow:  My heart is heavy....you all are in my prayers.  Find solace knowing "mom", "grandma", and "great grandma" is at peace.  Hold your fond memories of her close to your heart and laugh often.....Love you guys!

Lindsay Wittick

Patty, Linda, Mike, Stephanie, and Jennie:  My thoughts and prayers are with you.  These beautiful pictures of Nita really say everything.  She was a mother, a wife, a grandmother, a friend, and she was beautiful and so very pretty.  She was my best friend's mother.  

Our dearest Nita, you and Buster took me in when I was in first grade so I could be close enough to a school to attend --that was back in Blue Canyon and over 60 years ago.  You made sure I was bathed and clean, well fed, well mannered, and ready for school everyday.  She packed my lunch, made sure I was dressed appropriately, and gave Patty and I a little scoot off to school every morning.... and I tenderly remember you French braiding my hair.  Nita you are so loved and by such wonderful children and grandchildren.....  Your voice will sing in our hearts forever!  Save a spot for all of us in Heaven.  Lois and Margie

OBITUARY

Juanita Lee Sullivan

February 26, 1926 – May 30, 2013

Lambert Funeral Home

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