Juanita Pettit's Obituary
Juanita Pettit a longtime resident of Strongsville passed away at age 69 on Thursday, February 25th at Thomas P. Perciak Family Residential Hospice Facility from Glioblastoma (brain cancer).
Born in Alabama in 1946, she was the youngest of five children. Juanita’s family relocated to the Cleveland area in the 1950s, where after being struck by the loss of both their parents, eldest brother Chuck took on the role of raising his younger siblings.
Juanita pursued a higher education by attending beautician school and later barber college. She had a career in which she was the sole proprietor of several well-known barber shops in Portage and Geauga Counties.
Juanita then went on to pursue her true passion of helping others. Spanning over forty years, she helped to make the world a better place with her tireless volunteer service.
Beginning in the 80s, she volunteered at a shelter for women affected by domestic violence, working her way up to the position of night manager there.
She also gave generously of her time in many community services for the mentally ill, including NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) and the ADAMHS Board (Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services).
The community of addiction recovery was what Juanita loved best, and for over thirty years she was a member of a Twelve Step recovery program, and proudly a “friend of Bill W.” She was active throughout Northeast Ohio and performed every role from showing up early to brew coffee all the way through serving on the board of several well-known clubs in the area and will be missed, as she had earned the title of “old-timer.”
Juanita loved going for walks and going out to eat. She had a flair for the unusual and was always ready to lend a hand to the less fortunate.
She is survived by her two daughters, Kymba Malley and Michelle Thall (Chuck) and three grandchildren, Rachel, Trent and Mackenzie; sister Betty Severino (Joe) and many nieces and nephews.
Michelle will accept memorial gifts to be donated in Juanita’s name at the upcoming Relay for Life (a benefit for The American Cancer Society).
Juanita’s life will be honored by a Memorial Service at Jardine Funeral Home, 15822 Pearl Rd., Strongsville, Ohio 44136. Visitation from 2:00-5:00 on Saturday, March 5th, followed by a half-hour memorial service at 5:00 p.m. No interment service.
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