We are saddened to announce the passing, on July 4, 2026, of our dear Juanita Gheno. Mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, aunt, and friend to so many for 100 years plus. At the same time, in our grief we are joyful she did not suffer and she joins the family and friends that departed before her, in the comfort of our lord. Her life was lived with strength, courage, grace, and unwavering faith, knowing that her reward would ultimately be granted to her.

Born Juanita Ramos December 15th 1925, in San Francisco, CA. She was the youngest of 13 children (4 boys and 9 girls) born to 6’ tall Emilo Ramos and 4’10” Marry Ramos. The Ramos family lived united and flourished through “the great depression” and many other difficult tragedies including the loss of three children. We all learn from each of the events we encounter as we go through life. Juanita took all of her experiences and turned them into the loving, caring, kind, person she became. With the encouragement of a loving family, these obstacles instilled in her the grit to overcome every challenge and accomplish every goal that blocked her path.

Married at 25, she moved to Forestville, CA in 1953 with her husband and three children, Michael, Randall, and Diane and soon had her fourth child, Wendy. Left alone with 4 children in 1959. She displayed her force of will, raising her 4 children in the 900 square foot, 2 bedroom, 1 bath house that she lived in for 73 years until her passing. Though money was always sparse, she always made us, her children, feel we had more than we ever needed. The word "poor" never entered our mind or vocabulary. We always seemed to eat better than most with fresh vegetables from the garden, rabbit, chicken, squab, pheasant, beef, and pork from Uncle Georges little farm which we all helped work when needed. She made sure we always had decent clothes, even if they were hand-me-downs and a special outfit, girls in dresses – boys in suits, for Sunday Mass.

She lived much of her life serving her faith in God. She spent over 50 years serving Saint Sebastian’s Catholic Church as head of the CCD program and was a YLI member for over 30 years. She acted as an Alter caretaker, Eucharist minister, and much more. The monsignor at St Sebastian’s used to jokingly call her "Monsignor Juanita" and would say “if you have questions talk to Monsignor Juanita, she runs the place”.

Juanita didn’t get married until in her early 50’s when she married Mario Sariba, a kind and hardworking man. Unfortunately, within just a few years Mario became ill and sadly passed away.

Eventually, she met up with Fred Gheno, who had asked her to marry him right after high school. She had said no. Now both were widowed. She said yes. Fred was very generous, outgoing, and had a tremendous sense of humor. They were married in 1993 and had over twenty-five years of a happy, loving marriage. I think they were laughing the whole marriage until Fred passed in 2020.

Juanita opened her big heart and her small home to all that needed shelter, comfort, or just a place to feel safe and warm; never failing to share what little she had with any family member or friend that lost their way or just needed a helping hand. With Grace she imparted her wisdom and guidance on all, without conditions or requirements. For the past six months, as she began to decline, various people who knew her kindness and or experienced her generosity came nearly every day just to see her one last time. She loved every minute of those visits. Some of you were family, some old friends, some new friends, several she taught Catechism to, some simply grew up with her children, spent time at the family home and learned it was always a great place to be. There was always food, music, and fun. Thank you all for giving her your time and kindness.

One of her greatest pleasures was cooking for everyone, and a great cook she was. Many gatherings were held at her small home where family and friends would stand shoulder to shoulder in her tiny kitchen, at the huge outdoor picnic table, or roam the three lots where fruit trees and flowers grace the landscape. Every summer was filled with family and friends staying and sleeping outside under arbor covered with grapes or on the front grass that had to pass for lawn so that their days could be spent lounging on the Russian River beach or thrashing in the cool waters on a hot summer day.

Her home was the gathering place for family near and far. Almost every summer a luau was held there with a pig cooked in the ground, poi, and all the other Hawaiian fixings and decorations. Plywood tables would be set 12 inches off the ground with towels and blankets to sit on, huge palm leaves spread all around. Forty to fifty family, friends, and neighbors would play music, sing, laugh, eat, and enjoy a great day with Juanita cooking, singing, and being a fun, cheerful, generous host just being herself.

On her 90th birthday we, her children, decided to throw her a large birthday party and we kept throwing her birthday parties, though they got a little smaller, right up to her 99th year. While driving her to the 99th party she announced that we were not to throw her a 100th party because she intended on throwing her own party and she knew exactly what she wanted. The party was planned for two hundred guests, but several had to be turned away because there just wasn’t room or food for more than two hundred. Family and friends showed up from all over the country, coast to coast.

She loved to go to the casinos and play the penny machines, as you all know, they are not really a penny. At home with family, she was always playing nickel, dime, quarter poker games. She was always noted for “her bling,” as everyone called it. She always dressed in sparkly clothes, sequined sweaters and shoes, jewelry, etc. That is how she graced the 100th birthday party, which was the culmination of a life well-lived.

The Gift She Left Us- Some of her lives on, within each of us, she touched our hearts, blessed us with over 100 years and left her shining light to guide us for the rest of our days.

Her strength will support us when we are weak, her courage will make us fearless when we are scared, her grace will command us to be gentle when we want to lash out, her faith will show us that we are never alone.