Gass, Juanita "Nita" d. 2022

GASS, CORONADO, PELTON, LEY, DEPRIMO, METHEANY, MOYA

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 9/17/2022 at 20:43:35

JUANITA GASS OBITUARY {Wife of Jim Gass, Newton Iowa Class of 1956)

Our beloved wife and mother, Juanita Gass, passed away on August 10, 2022, with her family at her side. Nita (as she liked to be called) was a lifelong native of Vallejo and attended St. Vincent Grammar and High School, graduating in 1945. She cherished her high school adventures with two of her closest friends, Shirley Metheany and Margaret Moya, who will miss and mourn the passing of their good friend.

Nita worked at Mare Island for 22 years, from 1965 to 1987; first in the library and then in the Recreation Department. She loved her job, as she was a people person, but she loved her retirement even more. She enjoyed ski trips with her daughters, travels to Europe, gardening, the cinema, and was an avid reader. She also treasured the many happy summers she spent at her cabin in Lake County surrounded by her family.

She was an absolute angel who was generous and kind to all who needed a helping hand. During the AIDS crisis, she volunteered to work with Father Tony McGuire at Most Holy Redeemer Church in San Francisco. She heard a cry for help, and she responded.

She celebrated her 52nd wedding anniversary on August 2, with her loving husband, Jim, who held her hand while explaining the milestone they had reached. Though she couldn't speak, she squeezed his hand, opened her eyes, and mouthed the words, "I love you." It broke our hearts to lose her, but we were blessed to have had her in our lives this long.

Nita was predeceased by her parents, James and Juanita Coronado; her brother, Jim Coronado; her sister, Jane Pelton; and her brother-in-law, Jim Pelton. She is survived by her devoted husband, Jim Gass; her children, Diane Ley, Suzanne DePrimo, and Stephen Ley; and many cousins.

The family would like to thank the owners of the C&F Senior Care Home, Lina and Fugi Fojas, and their staff, Ricardo, Merly, and Ellie for providing a safe and comfortable environment for Nita and her husband over the years.

A celebration of Nita's life and Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, August 23 at 11 a.m. at St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 925 Sacramento St. in Vallejo. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations sent to St. Vincent Ferrer School, St. Patrick-St. Vincent Catholic High School, or a charity of your choice. ~ The Times Herald, Vallejo, CA 14 Aug 2022.