SOLANO, Juanita Lenore (Nana)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 11/11/2014 Juanita Lenore Solano died peacefully on the evening of Nov. 4, 2014, of natural causes at 84 years old. She was comforted and visited by family members at Longevity Assisted Living Home in Gilbert at the time of her passing. Affectionately known as “Nana,” she was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Juanita was born Feb. 11, 1930, in Saguache, Colo., the sixth of eight surviving children of Joseph and Maria Lucero. When she was 19 years old, her brother, Ben, introduced her to a handsome young sailor named Charles Solano through a letter. Their romance began as pen pals. They fell in love and were married July 30, 1949. Charles and Juanita moved to Niles, Mich., where they operated Solano’s Family Restaurant. A few years later they settled in Phoenix, where they raised five sons. Juanita worked as a community mental health services provider in neighborhoods and schools in South Phoenix for many years, before retiring and relocating to Pinetop-Lakeside. A devout Catholic, Juanita was a faithful parishioner at St. Simon and Jude in Phoenix for over a decade and more recently at St. Rita Catholic Church in Show Low. Juanita was an excellent cook and loved to share meals with family and friends. She had a green thumb and could make almost any plant thrive. She was constantly giving away plant cuttings to people who admired her gardens. Juanita loved going to yard sales and thrift stores and delighted in finding a bargain. She was generous and would often gift her belongings to any who complimented them. Also generous with her time, Juanita volunteered for many years in the Phoenix community. She was preceded in death by her parents, Maria and Joseph Lucero, and siblings Theodora Candelaria and Ruth Gleason. Juanita is survived by her devoted husband, Charles; sons Charles Jr., Rocky, Claude, Richard and Anthony; and siblings Ben Lucero, Robert Lucero, Rosa Martinez, Julia Figueroa and Reyes Maez. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Angele Solano, Claudia Solano, Charles Solano III, Nicholas Solano, Alexander Solano, Jessica Belflower, Sarah Solano, Richard Solano Jr., Marco Solano, Dominic Solano, Delaney Solano, and Kevin Solano; eight great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. The family wishes to give special thanks to Brandy and the other helpful staff of Longevity Assisted Living Home in Gilbert, for their loving care and attention to Juanita in her final months of life. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, at St. Rita Catholic Church at 1400 E. Owens, in Show Low.