Juanita Gullahorn "Nita" ROTHSCHILD

1950 - 2017

ROTHSCHILD, Juanita "Nita" Gullahorn 67, of Sonoma, CA was suddenly taken from us on August 4, 2017. Her brilliant light has been extinguished, but her spirit lives on in the hearts of her family and the friends who loved her so dearly. The only child of Howell and Willye Gullahorn, Nita was born in Sandy Springs, GA on November 20, 1950. The couple married late in life and weren't sure having a child would be possible, Nita was their "miracle child." From an early age, Nita was taught the importance of kindness, patience, grace and hard work. She graduated from Wesleyan College in Macon, GA in 1971, where she majored in math. She worked for the American Automobile Association in San Francisco for most of her professional life and when she retired was the only woman to achieve the distinction of membership on the IT Executive Team. She was an important mentor and role model for many women in her field. Following retirement, Nita moved to Truckee, CA and then to Reno, NV. Later, she moved to Washington state, living in Marysville and Edmonds before returning to California to live in Sonoma. She continuously pursued her many passions, including teaching dance to children, being an incredible Big Sister to Katie, and volunteering in animal shelters. She enjoyed travel, fitness, ballroom dancing, gourmet food and fine wine in her spare time. Nita cultivated new friendships throughout her life while maintaining family relationships and keeping in touch with old friends. One of her strongest qualities was an ability to unify people and mend fences. She never forgot a birthday or an important event in a friend's life. Those of us lucky enough to have been in her life will never forget her kind and thoughtful nature. Nita is survived by two step-sons, Seth and Marc Rothschild, cousins Gordon Gullahorn, Leslie Gullahorn Olson, Laurie Gullahorn Thibodeau, Brandon Smithe and Kathy Gullahorn. A memorial service for Nita will be held on Saturday, October 21st at 1:00 p.m. in the Remembrance Room at the Fernwood Funeral Home in Mill Valley, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations may be made to the Family Justice Center of Sonoma County, to Pet's Lifeline of Sonoma County, or to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.