Shirley J. Juarez's Obituary
Shirley J. Juarez, 76, passed away on April 16th, 2023.
She was born on May 30th, 1946 in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Joseph and Violet Pitonak.
Shirley attended Strongsville High School, graduating in 1964. She then continued her education at Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, obtaining degrees in both Business and Psychology. Shirley also obtained her Juris Doctorate Degree from Whittier College, School of Law, in Costa Mesa, California, in 1984.
In 1965, Shirley married Tom Laub and they had two children, Michelle and Peter.
Throughout her professional career, she was Director of the National Education Center at Ernst & Young, and the Administrative Assistant for Program Development at Baldwin Wallace University. Shirley was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1986, was a member of California State Bar Association, as well as the California Public Defenders Association. She was admitted to the State Bar of Ohio in 2009 and later became a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, where she completed her 33 years of private practice.
She married Albert Juarez on January 20th, 1996. Together they created "Cultural Advocates Uniting In Special Efforts," a non- profit organization working with at- risk youth and adults, and have been recognized by the California State Assembly, the California Senate, United States Congress, and California State Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
In Shirley's free time, she enjoyed reading, writing, and editing screenplays. She enjoyed gardening, antiquing, collecting keys and owls, and traveling. Shirley was a compassionate and caring person who touched many lives. She is loved by many and will be missed dearly.
She is survived by her husband, Albert Juarez; siblings, Janice (Ronald) Krisko, Curtis (Sheri) Pitonak, Daniel (Pam) Pitonak, and Gary Pitonak; children, Peter (Anicristy) Laub and Michelle Laub Jacobson, step-daughter, Erin (Ivory) Thomas; and grandchildren Vanessa, Charlotte, Emilia, Ashley, and Andrew.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her siblings; Nancy Pitonak, Virginia Jean Olen, James Pitonak, Joseph J. Pitonak and step-son Albert Juarez.
A Celebration of Life will be held on a later date.
Please contact the family for more information.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shirley J. Juarez Scholarship Fund. Https://bit.ly/ShirleyMacdonaldJuarez
“Registered” 501 (c) (3) Non-Profit
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