Juanita Faye Smith Hunt

Juanita Faye (Smith) Hunt, of New Plymouth, passed away Wednesday, July 30, 2014 after a long illness at her home, surrounded by her family. She was 82. A family hosted viewing will be held from 5pm-8pm, Monday, Aug. 4th at Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, New Plymouth. Funeral services will be held at 2pm, Tuesday, Aug. 5th at the First Baptist Church, 204 E Elm St., New Plymouth. Interment will follow at Park View Cemetery, New Plymouth. Condolences may be made to Juanita's family at www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com. Juanita was born in the small town of Osage City, KS on Jan. 18, 1932 to William and Gertrude (Parks) Smith. She attended Primary and Secondary School in Admire, KS where she lived until 1947; then she moved to Lakeview, OR. While attending school there, Juanita worked as a theatre usher and at a local store named News and Sweets; graduating from Lakeview High School in 1949. It was in Lakeview that she met the love of her life, Jerry Hunt. Soon after they met Juanita and Jerry were married in Payette, ID. They returned to Lakeview for a short period where their first child, Lonnie, was born in 1951. In 1953, Juanita and Jerry moved back to New Plymouth and in September of that year added their second child, Patsy. Jerry would soon after begin his career in land leveling and farming and Juanita would busy herself with the many jobs and service projects that would consume the entirety of her adult life. Juanita is fondly remembered in her home town as a volunteer assisting or heading up volunteer groups and nearly any worthy cause in the community. She was always there to lift up a heavy heart or give a helping hand to anyone in need. Among the many volunteer projects she was involved in, the best remembered were her involvement at the New Plymouth Library, Meals on Wheels, being one of the original founders of the New Plymouth Quick Response Unit, and volunteering yearly for the Payette County Fair and Rodeo as Jerry acted as Rodeo Board President. While fitting in all the volunteer work, Juanita managed to work diligently at many jobs in the Treasure Valley including the Holy Rosary Hospital, Henggeler Packing, Bud's Drugs, D and J Foods, New Plymouth Elementary School as a teacher's aide and librarian, and most notably as a Funeral Attendant for Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel in New Plymouth, Fruitland and Payette. It was Juanita's face that you first saw and her comforting hand that stretched forward to thousands of mourners who crossed the threshold of their facilities for over 25 years. Her gentle way, soft smile and kindly touch brought peace to the hearts of many. While family was the most important piece of Juanita's life she always believed in giving a helping hand to anyone in need. Many foster children were reared in the peaceful setting of Juanita and Jerry's home. Some of them continue to remain close to this day. Juanita was often known to be the one to open her home to those in need of a holiday retreat or she would be the one to bring a in a holiday meal to those who were in need or without family. She was a bright spirit to the doorway of many who lacked the funds or family at special times of the year. She will be lovingly missed and fondly remembered as a very "special" friend, wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother to the many who have known and loved her. Juanita is survived by her husband Jerry Hunt; son Lonnie Hunt, daughter Patsy Shigeta (Marc); grandchildren Justin Shigeta (Alanna), Todd Shigeta, and Mandi Shigeta; and great grandchildren Vincent Shigeta, Haily Shigeta and Gavin Shigeta; sister Barbara Wilson; brothers Billy Smith (Carol) and Bruce Smith (Belle); and numerous nieces and nephews. Special survivors include foster grandchildren Denise Jones and Chris and Zoanne Cherry. Juanita was preceded in death by her parents, one brother and one sister. The family would like to personally thank June and Justine from Legacy Hospice for their loving care to our Mom and our family. Their kindness and support helped our family through this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Legacy Hospice, c/o Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, PO Box 730, Payette, ID 83661.

Service Details.

Visitation

When: Monday, August 4th, 2014
Location: Funeral Home
Address:

Service

When: Tuesday, August 5th, 2014
Location: Funeral Home
Address: