JUANITA INEZ RESENDEZ SPENCE

It is with great sadness that our family announces our sister, Juanita Inez Resendez  Spence, has gone home to our Lord, Jesus Christ. On August 24, 2022, at 10:06 pm, we said goodbye.

Juanita was born in Bakersfield on May 23,1940 to our parents Antonio (Tony) and Inez Resendez. Awaiting her were siblings Eleanor, Arnulfo, Joaquin, Mary Ellen and cousin Tony Prado, who was part of our family. She attended Our Lady of Guadalupe Elementary School and Garces Memorial High School, graduating in 1959 followed by Bakersfield Junior College. She then went to work at Mercy Hospital and while there enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserves. Juanita moved to Los Angeles to work for the Social Security Administration. This is where she met her beloved husband, Billy J. Spence. Bill and Juanita moved to New Mexico, where they lived for over 30 years and made countless lifelong friends. They shared a passion for travel as they drove their motorhome to 47 of the United States. Billy passed on January 10, 2009. Juanita moved back to Bakersfield where she reunited with old friends, even celebrating an annual reunion with her kindergarten classmates. She loved praying the rosary every day and once a week with her Our Lady of Fatima rosary group.

She played canasta and had lunch with her widows group, retired Mercy Hospital Group, Garces group and many friends often. She played bocce ball and pickleball with her Del Webb community.

Juanita is survived by siblings, Joaquin Resendez and Mary Ellen Hernandez (Ismael), Brother-In-Law Nacho Reyes. Stepsons William Joseph Spence, Paul Spence (Faye), stepdaughter, Deborah Horton (David), and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by siblings, Eleanor and husband, Jose Lizaso, Arnulfo and wife, Ruby Resendez, Maria Louisa Resendez, Mary Louise Reyes, and sister- in-law, Esther Resendez.

A very special thank you to Hoffmann Hospice and their wonderful nurses and other personnel. Her family, Faye Spence (RN), granddaughter, Cami Lynnae Marschner(RN), nieces Gracie Vasquez, Alyce Castaneda, and Denise Valdez who took care of Juanita in her last days.

Visitation will be at Doughty Calhoun O'Meara on Sunday, September 11th, 2022 from 5 to 7pm with Rosary recited at 6pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, September 12th, 2022 at 10am at Our Lady Of Guadalupe Church.

Graveside services will follow immediately at Hillcrest Memorial Park.