Juanita Mae Moody, 79, was born to Lenora Swift and Albert Abbruzzese Bruce in Fresno, Calif., March 29, 1942. On April 10, 2021, she passed away in the presents of her loving husband and four daughters. At the age of 13, she met John Moody who would become the love of her life. On July 28, 1956, Juanita and John married in Reno, Nev. Together they raised their daughters in Antioch, Calif. A women before her time, she led the effort to make social changes e.g. girls allowed to take woodshop at school, girls allowed to participate in organized school sports when girls were not offered this at the time, and gay rights within the church. This strength and these actions helped form the values and beliefs of her daughters.
Juanita was a bold, courageous, and independent woman who loved life and created life through her multi-mediums of artwork. This was accomplished with the continual support of her husband. In the early 1970’s, while taking care of and raising her four daughters, she and John opened a pottery/ceramics business in Antioch, Calif. As a team, Juanita and John worked together to operate the business, with Juanita teaching pottery and ceramics classes while John ensured Juanita had everything she needed to accomplish this. In Juanita’s leisure time, she played tennis, both singles and mixed doubles with John. She returned to school and in 1983, earned an Associate of Arts Degree in Art from Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, Calif. At this time, she began to display and sell her artwork through various art shows.
After raising their daughters, Juanita and John began a new adventure following John’s career path to Louisiana, and then to Wisconsin. There they played tennis together with Juanita continuing to do her art, while volunteering her time as a docent for a local museum. In 2004, when her husband, John retired, they moved to Winlock, Wash., on the West Coast, to be closer to their daughters and grandchildren. Juanita continued to create and explore her art with her art friends in her personal home art studio, and was an active member of ARTrails of Southwest Washington. She enjoyed her time gardening and was a member of the Winlock Circle One Garden Club. She loved supporting her husband as he competed in billiards, keeping score for the clubs he was involved in and cheering him on. It was also during this time in their lives that Juanita and John were once again able to gather with their entire family. These wonderful gatherings included weeks in Rouge River together in one SMALL house (daughters, son-in-law’s, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other family members, along with camping trips at Lake Cushman in tents and later a family cabin.
Lovingly remembered by her family, Juanita Moody was laid to rest April 16, 2021, at Longview Memorial Park. Community Home Health & Hospice (1035 11th Ave., Longview, WA 98632) provided Juanita the comfort and care she needed while supporting her family through this difficult time. If you are so inclined, the family asks that a donation be sent to them in memory of Juanita Moody. If you would like to see Juanita Moody’s full obituary or add tributes, memories, or pictures go to www.long viewmemorial park.com.
