Juanita J. Taylor

Juanita J. Taylor passed away on August 2, 2016 at the age of 94. Juanita was born in Pueblo, Colorado on April 22nd, 1922 to Mike Joseph and Myrtle Chavalia. She was the second child of the couple, preceded by her sister Louise in 1920. They lived in Pueblo and later moved to San Luis, Colorado where she spent her childhood, and eventually graduated from high school. From 1940 to 1943 she attended nursing school in Pueblo, CO. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, she joined the Navy (WAVES) to do what she could to help the cause. She was the first woman to drive the large military 6X6 trucks at Buckley Field in Aurora, Colorado and she eventually became a chauffeur on the base. She later got her military nurses training while serving and was stationed at St. Albans Naval Hospital and later transferred to the submarine base at New London, CT. After the war, she returned home and married Pete J. Taylor on August 10th, 1946. Son Michael arrived in 1947 and Peter in 1949. From 1949 to 1959 Juanita was a teacher (including 4 years in California) and college student. While living in California she was elected County Superintendent of Schools for Costilla County in her home town of San Luis. She went on to receive a masters degree in educational administration from Adams State College in Alamosa, CO and from there her various careers took flight, having worked mainly in education but also in various government jobs related to health, welfare and human services. She moved to the Front Range in 1961 where she spent the rest of her life. One of her more interesting jobs was with the Federal program, United States Aid to International Development, as an education adviser for the country of Uruguay, where she worked on the development of the country's first educational Television programming. After retirement from full time employment she became self employed in what was her true passion, antique sales, opening her own store, ""Queen Bee Antiques."" She continued that ""work"" until her health no longer allowed it. She is survived by her sons, Michael (Ann Hoxton) Taylor & Peter (Denise Peine) Taylor; grandchildren, Anna McGrath, Leah Taylor, Guerin Taylor & Adrianna Taylor; and great grandchildren, Abraham Guthrie & Lillianna Taylor. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, August 9, 2016, at 11:00am at Holy Name Catholic Church, 3290 West Milan Avenue, Sheridan, Colorado. Interment to follow at Fort Logan National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in Juanita's honor to: Suncrest Hospice 777 East Speer Blvd Denver, CO 80203 Please share your memories of Juanita and condolences with her family by visiting the guestbook below.