Forestville

We are saddened to announce the passing, July 4, 2026, of our dear Juanita Gheno. Mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother aunt and friend to so many for 100 years plus. At the same time, in our grief we are joyful she did not suffer and she joins the family and friends that departed before her, in the comfort of our lord. Her life was lived with strength, courage, grace and unwavering faith, knowing that her reward would ultimately be granted to her.

Born Juanita Ramos December 15th1925, in San Francisco, CA. The youngest of 13 children, 4 boys and 9 girls born to 6’tall Emilo Ramos and 4’10” Marry Ramos. The Ramos family lived, united and flourished thru “the-great depression” and many other difficult tragedies including the loss of three children. We all learn from each of the events we encounter as we go through life. Juanita took all she experiences and turned them into the loving, caring, kind, person she became.

Married at 25 she moved to Forestville, CA in 1953 with her husband and three children, Michael, Randall and Diane and soon had her fourth child, Wendy. Left alone with 4 children in 1959. She displayed her force of will, raising her 4 children in the 900 square foot, 2 bedroom, 1 bath house that she lived in for 73 years until her passing.

She lived much of her life serving her faith in God. She spent over 50 years serving Saint Sebastion’s Catholic church as head of the CCD program for over 30 years, YLI member, Alter caretaker, Eucharist minister and much more. The monsignor at St Sebastion’s used jokingly to call her monsignor Juanita and would say “if you have questions talk to monsignor Juanita, she runs the place”.

Juanita didn’t get married until in her early 50’s she married Mario Sariba a kind and hardworking man. Unfortunately, within just a few years Mario became ill and sadly passed away.

Eventually, she met up with the man, Fred Gheno, that asked her to marry him right after high school. She had said no. Now both were widowed. She said yes. Fred was a very generous, outgoing, and with a tremendous sense of humor. They were married in 1993 and had over twenty-five years of a happy, loving marriage. I think they were laughing the whole marriage until Fred passed in 2020.

Juanita opened her big heart and her small home to all that needed shelter, comfort or just a place to feel safe and warm. Never failing to share what little she had with any family member or friend that lost their way or just needed a helping hand. With Grace she imparted her wisdom and guidance on all, without conditions or requirements. For the past six months, as she began to decline, various people who knew her kindness and or experienced her generosity came nearly every day just to see her one last time. Some of you were family, some old friends, some new friends, several she taught Catechism to, some simply grew up with her children, spent time at the family home and learned it was always a great place to be. There was always food, music and fun.

One of her greatest pleasures was cooking for everyone, and a great cook she was. Many gatherings were held at her small home where family and friends would stand shoulder to shoulder in her tiny kitchen, at the huge outdoor picnic table, or roam the three lots where fruit trees and flowers grace the landscape.

Her home was the gathering place for family near and far. Almost every summer a luau was held there with a pig cooked in the ground, poi and all the other Hawaiian fixings and decorations. Plywood tables would be set 12 inches off the ground with towels and blankets to sit on. Huge palm leaves spread all around. Forty to fifty family, friends and neighbors would play music, sing, laugh, eat and enjoy a great day with Jaunita cooking, singing and being a fun, cheerful, generous host, just being herself.

On her 90th birthday we, her children, decided to throw her a large birthday party and we kept throwing her birthday parties, though they got a little smaller, right up to her 99th year. While driving her to the 99th party she announced that we were not to throw her a100th party because she intended on throwing her own party and she knew exactly what she wanted. Family and friends showed up from all over the country, coast to coast.

She was always noted for, as everyone called it “her bling”. She always dressed in sparkly clothes, sequenced sweaters and shoes, jewelry, etc. That is how she graced the 100th birthday party, which was the culmination of a life, well lived.

The Gift She Left Us- Some of her lives on, within each of us, she touched our hearts, blessed us with over 100 years and left her shining light to guide us for the rest of our days.

Her strength will support us when we are weak, her courage will make us fearless when we are scared, her grace will command us to be gentle when we want to lash out, her faith will show us that we are never alone.

Any donations can be made to Sutter Hospice or St. Sebastian's Parish.

The viewing and rosary are Friday, July 17th from 5-7 PM at Parent Sorensen in Sebastopol. The mass is at 10 AM in Sebastopol, Saint Sebastian Parish. A reception at Rohnert Park DoubleTree.