DEGLANE, Juanita (Jennie)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 12/11/2015 Juanita "Jennie" Romero DeGlane, 99, died Nov. 25, 2015. She was born Feb. 12, 1916, in Concho to Ramon and Concepcion Romero and raised by her grandmother Felicita (Feliz) Padilla. Juanita married Emanuel M. DeGlane Feb. 22, 1942. Together they lived out their lives on the very same property where she was raised on with her grandmother. Juanita was a beautiful person and devout Catholic who dedicated her life to giving to her family, church and community. She had many stories of Concho’s history, as well as her family’s. Her door was always open to visitors and she would say “don’t knock, just get in.” When you left she would say, “God bless you, and may your guardian angels take you home safe and sound,” followed by a cross gesture. Juanita never forgot birthdays or Christmas and she always had something to give, especially to the children as far back to the early ‘60s. Every child remembers the pantry where Cracker Jacks and Animal Crackers were kept just for them, but nothing compared to those homemade sugar cookies, biscochitos and empanadas. Everyone looked forward to every Christmas. Whether it was a fiesta, funeral, birthday or just a potluck, her rice pudding was certain to be there. Juanita also cooked homemade lunches and cinnamon rolls at the Old Concho School in the ‘70s. She also canned and preserved fruits and vegetables from their rich orchard and vegetable gardens for many years. Juanita enjoyed crochet and was a gifted seamstress who was still using her old rocker sewing machine. She made clothes for family, quilts for every baby doll and many other wonderful crafts that she so graciously gave to all. Juanita and Emanuel never had children of her own, though they had several foster children, some for only a short time. Most had made their way back to visit her. She and Emanuel raised four girls as their own daughters, three foster sisters, Clara Josay Damon (deceased), Cora Josay Damon (deceased), Melinda Josay Hensley and adopted second cousin Yvonne DeGlane Longoria (deceased). They also raised their beloved grandson, Casey DeGlane. Juanita was preceded in death by her husband, Emanuel M. DeGlane, sister Sarita (Sarah) Romero Barreras and niece Margie B. Torres. She leaves behind her daughter, Melinda (Mike) Hensley, nephew Wilfred (Adaline) Barreras, nieces Elsie B. Duran and Angelina Barreras Ply, 13 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren, great-nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held Nov. 30 in San Raphael Catholic Church in Concho with a rosary and Mass. Interment was at San Raphael Catholic Cemetery. Burnham Mortuary handled arrangements.