Juana “Juanita” Franco Dominguez entered into eternal life May 29, 2023, at her home in Safford, Arizona. She was 86. Juana was born in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico on June 24, 1936. She was the only child born to Luis Palacios Garcia and the seventh and youngest child to Otilia Franco.
Juana was known as Juanita to her family and friends. Her sister-in-law, Vicky Delgado, gave her the nickname “Janie”, so her nieces and nephews knew her as Aunt Janie. Her precious grandchildren knew her as Grandma Nita. Juanita always had a smile on her face. She was a friendly person with a great sense of humor who made friends easily. She had a strong faith in God, which helped her through difficult times.
Juanita loved reading and writing poetry, listening to music and dancing to a Kumbia. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, gardening, and spending time with her family and friends, which meant everything to her. She planted many seeds of love and kindness throughout her life. She will be greatly missed by her family and countless friends.
She was preceded in death by: her loving husband of 50 years, Edwardo “Lalo” M. Dominguez; her parents, Luis LPalacios Garcia and Otilia Franco; her six siblings, Leanor Buttner and Celia Serna of California, Reymundo Chavez of Texas, Alfonso Chavez of Tolleson, Arizona, Margarita Rodriguez of Thatcher, Arizona, and Hortensia “Tencha” Figueroa of Safford, Arizona.
She is survived by: her five children; her daughters, Sylvia D. Lopez and Maria E. Bishop of Safford, Arizona, her sons, Luis E. Dominguez and Johnny Dominguez of Safford, Arizona, and her son Michael R. Dominguez of Mesa, Arizona; her grandsons, David A. Martinez, John-Michael R. Martinez, Nathan J. Bishop, Jeffrey A. Health Jr, all of Safford, Arizona; as well as her granddaughters, Jerrica Ward, Jovanna Merrill, Janessa Dominguez of Safford, Arizona, Danielle Hargrave, Andrea Dominguez of Gilbert, Arizona; and many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Funeral services for Juana will be conducted Friday morning, June 9, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at Vining Funeral Home’s “Chapel of the Valley”. Concluding services will follow in the Safford Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Friday morning, June 9, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., also at the funeral home.
A luncheon will be held after the concluding services on Friday, June 9, 2023, at the Freedom Church, located at 3754 US-191, in Safford. The family has mentioned that any food or refreshments can be delivered there as early as 9:00 a.m.
Online condolences may be offered at www.viningfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.
