Juanita A. Cavalcanti Lewis

GIRARD - Juanita A. Lewis, 73, passed away unexpectedly Monday afternoon, Feb. 26, 2018, at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown.

Juanita was born May 20, 1944, in Girard, a daughter of the late Francis and Marie Tulipano Cavalcanti, and lived her life in Girard in the same neighborhood.

She was a proud Parkwood resident and an advocate for the town she loved so much. Juanita ran for the school board and for the office of mayor. Many friends and neighbors dubbed Juanita “The Mayor of Parkwood.”

A devoted wife and mother, a doting grandmother and proud great-grandmother, Juanita dedicated her life to her family, which was a full-time job she called being a “domestic engineer.”

Mrs. Lewis held deeply-rooted beliefs born of her Catholic faith, and she taught her children to always be humble and to “know your roots.”

Juanita loved history, politics, computers, drawing, and painting. She was always found reading, working crossword puzzles, playing games, listening to “her loud music,” and trying to feed everyone!

Juanita was stubborn, outspoken, smart, kind, fun, creative, and humble. She knew how to do almost anything she wanted, was self-taught in many subjects, and mastered everything she put her mind to. She was also very strong, and survived two battles with cancer.

Mrs. Lewis created the facebook group “Rants and Raves,” where she voiced her thoughts and opinions, loud and proud, along with others.

Her husband and soulmate, Ronald M. Lewis, whom she married Aug. 23, 1974, passed away July 15, 2017.

Mrs. Lewis leaves to cherish her memory two daughters, Theresa (David) Chapman of Rogers and Alisha (Brian) Schenk of Girard; a son, Joseph Lewis (Bobbi-Jo Poe) of Girard; 15 grandchildren, Roseanne (Tommy), Desirée, Jordan, Jamiáe, Brianna, Seth, Alexus, Joe, Joel, Xiali, Summer, Ethan, Tangeria, Angelina, and Evan; four great-grandchildren, Danté, Lillianna, Serenity, and Iris; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Juanita’s love was unconditional and she will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Besides her husband, three sisters, Marie Belle, Rita, and Deanna, and a brother, Francis Jr., preceded Juanita in death.

Summing up Juanita’s life is impossible with just a few words. She loved everyone and tried to do as much as she could for others. Her heart was always full of love and she will live on through her children.

Family and friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m., and from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, March 1, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 222 S. State St., Girard. Family and friends may also call from noon to 1 p.m., Friday, March 2, at the funeral home, where funeral services will take place at 1 p.m.

Interment will follow the services at the funeral home, and will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown, where Juanita will be laid to rest next to her husband.

“Forever generous, forever loved and forever in our hearts.”

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.