Juanita "Nena" Nieto

1937 - 2022

JUANITA NENA NIETO

1937 - 2022

On December 31, 2022, Juanita Nena Nieto was blessed with her wings and went to walk with the Angels. Our family is deeply saddened by the loss of our beautiful, kind, and loving wife, mother, and Nanny, but we take comfort in knowing she is now at peace.

Juanita was born to Jose and Juanita Ramirez on April 3, 1937, in Bakersfield, California. She was the youngest of eight children. Since she was the baby, her Ma spoiled her, and they shared a special love.

Juanita attended and graduated from Our Lady of Guadalupe School and Bakersfield High School. When she was a senior in high school, she met the love of her life, Joe Nieto, the man who changed her world. They were married on May 7, 1960 and raised five wonderful, hardworking and dedicated darlings (as Juanita would say), Cindy, Joe Jr., Leonard, Susie and Emery. Throughout 62 years of love and marriage, her family would grow to 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Juanita truly loved her family and dedicated her life to her husband, children, and all her grandchildren. Together they created a legacy that will live on for generations and we, as her family, are truly grateful that God blessed us with her for 85 years.

Juanita was many things to many people. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and a friend. No matter what we, the people who loved her, called her, she was above all else, a gentle, sweet soul. She came from an age of innocence when people were kind and looked out for each other. And though the world around her changed, her gentle heart, compassion, and concerns for others never did. In her home, you knew you were loved.

Juanita always had a giving heart. She volunteered at the Center for The Blind and Visually Impaired for over 30 years, she was a member of the Legon of Mary and The Golden Agers. Juanita also volunteered extensively at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and School. She was a member of the Altar Guild Society, Las Guadalupanas, the President of the Women's Club, founding member of the Booster Club, she helped start the first Reverse Raffle, Chili Verde Cookoff, Menudo Cookoff, and Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, as well as room mom for all five of her children.

Juanita was preceded in death by her parents, Jose and Juanita Ramirez, siblings, Kelly, Victor, Chano, Raymond, Felicitas and Josephina, and her in laws, Emerenciano and Petra Nieto. She is survived by her husband, Joe Nieto Sr., children, Cindy Ozaeta (Xavier), Joe Nieto Jr. (Margo), Leonard Nieto, Susie Aspeitia (Larry) and Emery Nieto. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, her sister Julie Gifford, brother in laws Nano Nieto, Gilbert Nieto (Anita), sister in laws, Angie Esqueda, Rachel Ramirez and many nieces and nephews.

Our world will have a void and our hearts are broken, but we will always remember that twinkle in her eye and that wonderful smile on her face. Though we can no longer see her, hug her, or laugh with her, she will always be in our hearts.

She always told us, The most important thing is to always have Peace in your life.

Rosary will be held Thursday, January 19, 2023, at 6:00 pm and visitation will be from 5:00-7:30 pm at Basham Funeral Home on Niles St. Mass will be on Friday, January 20, 2023 at 11:00 am, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.

The family would like to thank all the staff at Encompass Health and Adventist Hospital, especially our wonderful nurse, Sandra Sanchez, in the Step-Down Unit.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church fund in her name.

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