Juanita Marie Daniel

Juanita Marie Daniel
Born April 6th, 1944
Passed away surrounded by her daughters and son in law on August 19th, 2024.

Born Juanita Marie Coffey in San Francisco, California.  She was the middle child in a family of five kids. Her family moved around from the Bay Area to Missouri, Arkansas, back to Northern CA ..Half Moon Bay and Yuba City specifically.  She told stories of how they migrated from one place to another following work opportunities for her father. She described these times as something out of "The Grapes of Wrath". Juanita grew up knowing financial insecurity intimately well, but also knew the love of a close knit family. Her fondest memories were those living in Half Moon Bay, CA.  She had great adventures exploring the trails and coastal landscape with her older brother Jack. Some of her happiest childhood days and well into her adult years were spent in Pacifica, CA with her Aunt Helen, Uncle Sherm and cousins. Her aunt and uncle moved to Sacramento and bought a home next door to Juanita. They lived there throughout  their senior years allowing her to repay the love and support they always gave her.

Juanita described herself as a child with boundless and often "too much" energy. She was a sensitive worrier with big feelings she wasn't always proud of. Yet, Juanita's boundless energy continued throughout her life. She thought fast, talked fast (and passed it on to her children) and moved as fast as she could up until her last days.  She was described as caring, tireless, sharp, tenacious, strong and generous to a fault at times. She didn't spend much on herself and didn't often pursue notions or even vacations much beyond daydreaming. Her children and those who knew  and loved her sure wish she had. The truth is, Juanita felt her work fulfilled her enough to forego these things.

Juanita is survived by her daughters Riesa Rice of Shingle Springs, CA, Arlana (Daniel) Gillespie [Paul] of Fort Collins,  CO, brother Jack Coffey of Tucson, Arizona, Sister Jeanne McIntosh of Tucson, Arizona, Veronica Coffey of Oroville, CA, Step-children Tracy (Daniel) Burke, Jeff Daniel, Liz Robinson and Kathy Robinson. Her 9 grandsons- Justin Norton, Anthony Hausler, Colten Felkins, Chance Felkins, Jacob Rice,  Jared Rice, Zachary Rice, Ian Gillespie,  Brennan Gillespie, and numerous great grandchildren. Also, her dear friend and colleague, Lynda Buckmaster.

She was predeceased by her father  Eugene "Bud" Coffey in 1969 and mother, Elizabeth "Beth"  Coffey in 1974.  Brother  Stephen Coffey of Tucson, Arizona in 2003, husband Glenn Robinson in 2022. Juanita lost her oldest child, Tony Felkins in June of 2021.

Juanita was always a "go getter" and took great pride in any job she had. She worked as early as she could up to her last days on earth. In fact she later proudly stated "I never did miss a paycheck". In her earlier years she worked as a sugar beet "weigh master" (a job she really enjoyed) , a waitress and an Avon lady, all during the years of raising her three young children. She owned a small restaurant for a time  called "Daniel's Coffee Shop"  where she made homemade soups and pies among other favorites.

Around 1981 she sold cookware door to door and as fate would have it came upon a lonely elderly woman who needed some care.  In her free time, Juanita helped her with  household chores, took her to appointments and often provided rides to a local senior  facility called Camellia City Center.  Juanita became a regular volunteer serving meals and providing companionship to  many of downtown Sacramento's isolated and at risk seniors. In short time, she became a full time employee and eventually a leader. She didn't sell any cookware that day, but she found her life's calling and from then on  completely entrenched herself in the service of others.

She went on to work for the  Interfaith Service Bureau, managed the Central Downtown Food Closet, TLCS (now known as Hope Cooperative and finally Volunteers of America.  Most of her work was  providing  in person and "on the streets" assessment and support to Sacramento's homeless who were also suffering from mental illness. During this time she served on the board of Volunteers of America (VOA) and eventually went to work for them.  She oversaw the opening of a motel turned residential  program for the homeless mentally ill in 1997 named Halcyon Place. In 2009, also through VOA,  she opened a second residential program for abused and neglected  seniors called the Sacramento Senior Safe House . She ended her career still directing the Safe House at her passing. She celebrated her 35th year with Volunteers of America this past spring, along with her 80th birthday.

Juanita never stopped working and lived up to the aged, shellacked, barn wood plaque (she'd had in her home since the 70's) that hung in her office at the Safe House. It states "It is Better to Wear Out than to Rust Out." Juanita Daniel dedicated her career and life  serving those who were often overlooked, ignored and undervalued.

Juanita had a deep interest in genealogy, tracing her family history to the early United States settlers. She always enjoyed scenic drives and road trips to places like Tahoe, Bodega Bay and visiting her siblings in Yuba City, Oroville, Manteca and Tucson.

She enjoyed the Music Circus and other local theater and typically attended with her daughter Riesa and her family. She loved reading and collected books of all genres for her home library.  She worked on crossword puzzles daily even making some a group effort with her daughters and grandsons via calls and texts.

She was once an avid bowler and even appeared on Bowling for Dollars.. and won!

Over the past decade or so watching birds at her feeders became a favorite pastime. Birds gave her much entertainment and serenity.  In fact, one of her last musings was "Birds are life savers."

Juanita's daughters would like thank those selfless people who gave of themselves and their time to assist their mom in times they were unable. Specifically, Bruce Bunderson, Randy Taylor,  Joanne Mann, Toni Runke, Monika Lopez, Lynda Buckmaster, and Jeannette Gale.
Also, thank you Melissa Levering and Sutter Home Hospice for your help in the 11th hour.

In hopes for visiting birds and a beautiful day...

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday September, 20th at 11:00 a.m.
The Shepard Garden and Arts Center. (behind McKinley Park)
3330 McKinley Blvd
Sacramento, CA, 95816

In lieu of flowers, Donations to Volunteers of America will be appreciated. 3434 Marconi Avenue Sacramento, Ca 95821. Specific program is your choice.

https://voancnn.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate