Juanita Arizpe

After 84 years of living her life to the fullest, Juanita Arizpe left this world to go meet her Lord and Savior on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009. She was a beloved mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother. Juanita was born on March 8, 1924, in Millersview, Texas, to Matias and Maria Sustaita. She later moved to Richmond, Texas, where she and her husband, Enrique, raised eight children. Among some of the things Juanita cherished and enjoyed most in life were spending time with her family, tending to her flowers around her house, dancing, visiting with her neighbors and early morning walks with her dog, Bartok. She will forever be remembered as a kind, nurturing and selfless woman who held strong to her Catholic faith. It was that faith in God that made her the incredibly strong woman that she was, even through the tough times, and it is because of that faith that she is no doubt enjoying the eternal happiness we all hope to celebrate with her one day. Juanita was preceded in death by her husband, Enrique Arizpe, brother Ramon Sustaita, sisters Manuela Mireles and Antonia Matamoros, and daughter Dora Gonzalez, all of whom she has now been reunited with in her passing. She is survived by her brother, Matias Sustaita II; sons Juan Olivarez and his wife Sylvia, of East Bernard, and Larry Arizpe and his wife Tonie, of Sugar Land; daughters Susie Marietta and her husband Larry, of Needville, Alejandra Gonzales and her husband Richard, of Rosenberg, Janie McNeil and her husband Steve, of Rosenberg, Lupe Morales and her husband Michael, of Houston, and Mary Arizpe of Richmond. She is also survived by 22 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom hold special memories of her in their hearts. Juanita's family would like to send out a special thank you to all of the doctors, nurses and caregivers who devoted their time to taking care of Juanita. Their efforts, support and prayers are truly appreciated. Funeral services to celebrate Juanita's life will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Richmond, with Father Howard Drabek officiating. Interment will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park in Rosenberg. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., with a rosary being recited at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009 at Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Chapel in Rosenberg.

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Juanita Arizpe

March 8, 1924 - January 18, 2009