Mary Juanita Boyd

Mary Juanita Boyd was born on September 27, 1924 in Centralia, Illinois where she grew up, met and married Leonard Albert Schelot, She had two brothers, Charles and Edwin and a sister Kathleen.

Juanita was a stay at home mom for most of her children's lives when they were small. She was an excellent home maker only having to go to work to help pay for college expenses. She worked in a day care as a teacher and then in the bookstore at Columbia Christian College.

Juanita loved the Lord and was a devout spirited woman. She loved her Church family at Eastside Church of Christ. She was very active there and a member for over 50 years. She passed her faith on to her children starting when they were very young reading bible stories to them at night and bringing them to Sunday school every Sunday.

Juanita's first husband, Leonard, passed away in 1975 and she remained a widow for 15 years.

One of the activities Juanita enjoyed was bowling and it was while bowling in a senior's league that she met her husband, Robert Boyd. They were married in July of 1990 for 12 years until Bob passed away in January of 2002.

Her children remember her as a great cook. A rare mother indeed who always rose early to make sure her children were fed breakfast before going off to school. She instilled great family values in her children. She always expected them to be home "on time" for supper in the evenings and insisted they eat at the table, not in front of the TV.

Juanita made holidays special for her family. She decorated the table and spent hours preparing a fancy meal, whether it be Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas. She did her best to see that her children received what they asked for at Christmas.

Not only was she a great cook, but she was a seamstress as well. She sewed many dresses for her girls and made doll clothes for her girls' dolls. She also crocheted and embroidered.

Juanita had many friends. Everyone loved her. She always had a smile on her face and spread happiness and joy. She was positive and optimistic, always looking on the bright side of circumstances. She enjoyed having fun and laughed a lot. She had a motto she chose to abide by: "I choose to be happy today."

Juanita is survived by her son, Bruce Schelot, and her three daughters, Susanne Crume, Peggy Mills Leslie East, 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Remembrances may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation Northwest.