Juanita H. Dow

Juanita H. Dow of Wellesley, Mass., who lived in Waterbury for many years, died May 29, 2015, in Wellesley.

She and her husband, the late Ransom W. Dow, ran the Park Restaurant in Waterbury until 1978, when Juanita joined the Vermont Department of Child Welfare. When she retired, she filled her days building gardens at her home in Waterbury, and traveling with her dear friend Fay Charles everywhere from Ireland to Key West, Fla.

She loved her years volunteering at the Waterbury Area Senior Center, and spent many happy times with her dear friend and co-mom Lucy Marcotte in Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

In Wellesley, she enjoyed going to Boston, picnicking at various parks, eating ice cream wherever it could be found, and helping to take care of her beloved grandpups and kitties.

In 2013, she moved to the Elizabeth Seton Residence in Wellesley, where she made many friends. She did not let any illness stop her from sharing her gardening and cooking knowledge, going on shopping trips and enjoying any activity offered. She loved singing with the activities director and oversaw the nurses’ station, where she could make sure everyone was where they were supposed to be.

Her unfailing sense of humor and intense blue eyes made everyone happier for knowing and seeing her. When it was clear her time was near, the staff members — landscape, kitchen, maintenance, laundry, housekeeping, and her beloved certified nursing assistants and nurses — all made special time to say goodbye.

Juanita found her voice in spite of her dementia, always speaking her truth no matter whether you would like it or not. It was never mean-spirited; it was just her truth.

Survivors include her daughter, Kimberlee Dow and husband James Marcotte of Wellesley; her son, Scott Dow and wife Kathy; grandson William Dow, a Norwich University cadet and a member of the Vermont National Guard; her sister Betsy, Fern, Phillip, Bruce, and sister-in-law Codie Gibbs; many nieces and nephews; many grandpups and grandkitties; and her best pal, Sally Landry of Patten, Maine.

Her brothers and sisters, Bud, Doris, June and Marylee, died earlier.

A memorial celebration will be held Sunday, Aug. 8, at 11 a.m. at the Waterbury Center Community Church on Route 100. A luncheon reception will follow in the church dining room. Burial will be private.

At Juanita’s request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Waterbury Area Senior Center, 14 Stowe St., Waterbury, VT 05676, or to North Country Animal League, 16 Mountain View Meadow Road, Morrisville, VT 05661 (ncal.com).

Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury is assisting the family. To send online condolences: perkinsparker.com or the funeral home’s Facebook page.