Juanita Faye Skala
Our Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Great-Great-Grandmother passed away January 6, 2015. She was 91 years old. Born April 10,1923, a lifetime ago. She was the middle child and only daughter born to her family. She was named Juanita Faye Dart. She lived with her mother until she was 13 yrs old. Her father died when he was a young man and her mother found it difficult to support three children. She and her older brother were sent to live and work for other families in her home town of Selma CA. She learned early that life was difficult and she had to depend on herself. A gift really when she looked back. She was strong and independent and when she was 18 and graduated from high school she moved to San Diego, CA to work in the ship yards and support the war effort. She had a roommate and life long friend, Betty. Betty soon became her sister-in-law after she married her brother, Earl Dart. Juanita in turn married a friend of her brother’s, Rudy Hindman. Juanita and Rudy had two daughters, Claudette and Kathleen, and were married for 20 years. They moved around CA until they settled in Riverside CA in 1959. They were divorced in 1964, In 1967 she had twin granddaughters, Paige and Traci. In 1968 she had a grandson, Steven. The next ten years she devoted to helping her daughter Claudette raise her twin daughters as she was a single parent. She was her best with grandchildren around her. She met Phil Skala at work several years after her divorce. They both worked at Bourns, Inc. and they were married in 1972 and remained together until his death in 2004. She had lifetime friends that she kept in touch with until they were gone. She was the last surviving relative of her generation. Through the years she was blessed with more grandchildren, Shannon, Kristen, & Lindsay. Great-grandchildren, Heather Michele, Sarah, Nathan, Mackenzie, Trent, Taylor, Hannah & Addison. Great-great-grandchildren, Hayden, Payton, Sawyer, Micah & Moses.
She was able to travel many places with Phil, and her daughter Kathy took her on wonderful vacations also. She traveled to Tahiti, most islands in Hawaii, Martha’s Vineyard and many states in between. She lived many years in Southern CA and that is a paradise in itself. Her life had improved and easy to live until her oldest daughter, Claudette became ill and died when she was 52 in 1999. I don’t think she ever fully recovered from her death. In the past 10 years she has gotten to live with her twin granddaughters. First Paige in San Diego for five years and then with Traci in St. Louis until her death. The really special part for her is that she has been surrounded with her family for many years. She was there when her granddaughters were born and they were with her when she left this world. A happy ending for her.
Such a lovely remembrance, I loved reading about Juanita and the pictures were wonderful to watch. Very well done. I know you must miss her so much, you can see how much joy you all brought to each other.
Nana loved you all so much! I really enjoyed all the photos you put together! Thinking of you and holding you all in my heart!
Nana – I loved you! You were always there for me when I needed you. I know you are now in peace and loving being reunited with Papa and my my mother in Heaven. I love you!
beautifully put together..sending healing prayers to one and all. Such a beautiful family…love and hugs
She was quite the lady. As a friend to her two daughters, I will always remember her giving us some words of wisdom during our 20’s. They were always seasoned with a little salt and we got the point. She was certainly the matriarch of her family and I know you all will miss her. Thank you for sharing all those memories in photos. My deepest sympathy.
A wonderful rememberance of Nana. She was blessed in so many ways. She will be missed but she is by far in a much better place. God Bless her and may she be able to say “Hi” to Chuck. Love you Nana.
Juanita played a big part in the 50 years of our friendship. She was kind to me when I first arrived in this country from Switzerland. I never forgot that. I have great memories of her, Phil, Bill and I going dancing and later on with Arthur fixing up their home in Ramona to make it safer. We will miss Juanita and thank you, Paige and Traci, for caring for her and loving her til her peaceful end. Our thoughts are with you, Zita & AJ
Dear Nana I know you are now at peace with Papa and my Mom. I’m going to miss all of our long talks. I could tell you anything. Thank you so much for being the best Nana ever. You were always there for me. I’m going to miss you so much. I love you
Dear Kathy, Paige & Traci,
I have been thinking about Juanita so much and just googled her name. It is a shock to me that she just passed away this year.
During the 30+ years she was married to Phil, we went many places together. Even after John passed, she and Phil came to stay with me and we went all over New England together.
She was a gracious, beautiful woman. After my own son died, I lost touch w/Juanita because she had moved. My life changed dramatically, so she probably couldn’t contact me either.
God Bless each of you and your loved ones. You were truly loved.
Please contact me.
Lois Skala