Juanita Rose De La Torre was born in Phoenix, Arizona on April 10th, 1952. She passed away peacefully at the age of 70 on the evening of July 10th, 2022. She was in the comforting presence of her loving family. “Nita” is survived by her two sons: Brian and Michael, as well as a bevy of adoring grandchildren and several siblings.
Nita was a true believer in a Higher Power. She was proud to be 35 years sober. She was an amazing person, mother, grandmother, and sibling.
She was fun and adventurous. Her sons have many stories to pass on; the good and the bad; but mostly hilarious.
She was a true bohemian. She had great taste in music, movies, and culture. In a movie theater, hers was always the loudest laugh. She also had a rebellious streak that everybody knew and loved. She was a believer in the noble ideals of the 1960’s including peace, love, happiness and blue jeans- lots of blue jeans.
Nita often worked miserable jobs to support her boys, but she never let that keep her from being present in their lives, even finding the time to volunteer to coach basketball. She wore an old army jacket and Levi’s jeans to practice and was not afraid to bounce a ball off a player’s head if they weren’t paying attention.
Nita was a single parent, and she made many sacrifices. Despite the challenges, she did an admirable job of fulfilling dual responsibilities. She taught her boys to be independent, tough, and resourceful. She even taught them to play basketball and baseball.
Later, Mama became “Nana” and was the coolest grandmother around. She slowed down a tad. Colorful sun dresses replaced the blue jeans. Pretty shawls replaced the camouflage jacket. She became a proud fixture at various musical events, basketball games, comedy routines and theater productions; always supporting and cheering on her beloved grandchildren.
Nita gave so much of herself to those she loved, but she saved the best for last. She sacrificed time with her family and grandchildren to lovingly care for her parents during their final years. She painstakingly and without complaint tended to her father and bedridden mother for six years. It’s funny how things came full circle in Nita’s life because she went to nursing school and always wanted to become a nurse, but life got in the way. She would have been an amazing nurse based on the care and compassion she provided. She fulfilled the greatest of challenges and she did so with such dignity.
Nita brought a tremendous amount of love and laughter into every interaction she had. There was never a dull moment in her presence. She was a gorgeous woman and wonderful spirit. There are no words that can effectively express how much she will be missed by those who know and love her.
A viewing will be provided on Wednesday, July 20th between 5:00pm and 8:00pm at the Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery in Mesa, Arizona. 7900 E. Main Street. A mass will be held on Thursday, July 21st at 10:00am in Mesa at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 30 W. First Street. Burial services will be held on July 22st at 10:00 am back at the Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery.
My condolences to her family. She was an angel on earth and has her heavenly wings. Prayers and hugs to the family.
Praying for comfort for your family and that you are blessed with beautiful memories of this sweet Mama and Nana.
Juanita was a beautiful friend with a huge heart! We worked together for several years (her office was next door to mine). Juanita would always bring me various/interesting books to read and always had a cheerful smile on her face. Sometimes we would meet outside of work for a Starbucks drink, a sandwich, or a Jamba Juice where we shared stories about our lives at work, at home and various stories of single parenting. Sometimes I would attend the musical events with Juanita to see her talented son and grandaughter perform. Juanita was gorgeous on the inside and out and I asked her one day, where she got her hair done and she introduced me to Cory (the master hair artist, who then cut/colored my hair for several years). When I lost my son, I’ll never forget how supportive Juanita was to me and she also suprised me with a gift of a hair cut by Cory. I’m praying for Juanita’s family and friends and for Juanita in her new life with God. I will always love you Juanita!
Love,
Susan Potter
May her soul be welcomed home and into the loving arms of God our Father. Condolences sent to her friends and family.
My dearest love to to her family. Prayers and may love surrounds you all. She was amazing mother and wonderful grandmother. She will be deeply missed. Her memories of her personage will.alway be remembered and admired forever.
Love uncle Terry .xxoo
I’ve known Nita and her parents for more than Fifty years. She was always a good mother, daughter, sister and grandmother loved by all. She religiously cared for her parents in her later years . She is to be admired for raising her two sons, Brian and Dominick (Michael). Ruth and I mourn her passing and are convinced she will continue to care for her parents in the promised land.
She will be missed and remembered for ever in our hearths.
I will miss her smile and infectious laugh. Juanita made every day at work a party. We had to go to training classes regularly at the City of Phoenix and Juanita and I would try to schedule them together if we could. We always had a ball! Her laughter and mischievous smile made a tedious training session fun! No doubt that the party has started in heaven with her kind heart and love of laughter. My deepest condolences to her family. She will be missed.
Rest In Peace Nita in the land of the living. My sympathy to all your family who will miss you but know you are living your best life forever.
Condolences and prayers for the familia and Spirit of mama Nita as she transitions to the heavenly realms. Ashley and I celebrate all the beauty that she gifted this world through her life and legacy. It ripples backwards and forwards through time as we live on with her in our hearts. She will always be honored through the musica of her many children & grandchildren. Con cariño
~poranguí & ashley
My heart goes out to Nita’s family. She was a good friend, although we hadn’t seen each other often in recent years. I loved the stories about her adventures with the Boy Scouts when her boys were young. I am glad that she is now at peace.
I knew Nita for many years in our youth because she was my sister’s best friend. The whole De La Torre family was very nice. She made this world a better place and we all will miss her.
I had the pleasure of knowing and communicating with my dear Cousin Nita, for a few years, while she took care of her dear Mother and my Aunt Flora! Nita was so kind and thoughtful to me, she always kept me informed, about how her dear Mother was doing. I could tell that Nita was a very special person and cared so much about all her Family! I will never forget her kindness and love for sharing with me, all her wonderful memories of her Family, especially those precious stories that she obtained from Aunt Flora, about my dear Mother Maggie Barela Florez, who passed away when I was 2 years old. Nita, and all her wonderful Family, will always be in my thoughts and prayers! With Love and much Gratitude, ~Helen~
Juanita was such a wonderful friend whom I knew because we both worked at the same time for City of Phoenix Water Services. She was so sweet, friendly, funny, smart, etc. It was always a pleasure talking with her. A nickname I gave her was “Aquanetta” because she reminded me of a movie star (can’t remember the name) that lived here in Phoenix (I think she made movies in the 50’s or 60’s?). Anyhow, she loved the nickname and we always laughed/joked about it, even in her letters to me she signed off as “Aqua”. I will miss her. She was a bright light in everyone’s life and such a kind and giving person. She will be missed!
I only recently learned that Nita had passed. I have fond memories of Nita and her boys. We both had two children. My son and daughter were the same age as her boys. We had some great adventures together. I moved to New Mexico and later to Tucson. I always wanted to touch bases with her again but sadly didn’t. Nita Rose was a beautiful , wonderful woman. She was strong and kind! She will always have a special place in my heart. Fly high sweet Nita. Until we meet again.🙏❤🙏
Janet Kuykemdall Zache