Juanita L. Mauro Giddy

She was born Aug. 26, 1929, the youngest daughter of George Francis Gowan and Bertha Wheeler Gowan.

This was the beginning of her incredible life journey. Juanita married Sylvester “Syl” Mauro in 1947 after he returned from serving in World War II in Europe for three years. He was the son of Italian immigrants and Juanita learned to cook and love Italian food.

She and Syl, who died in 1960, at the young age of 39, had six children: Frank Mauro of North Collins, N.Y., Syl Mauro (and Brenda) of San Antonio, Texas, Josieann Eccles (and Tim) of Fernandina Beach, Fla. Steven Mauro (and Deborah) of Randolph, N.Y., Rosemary Clarke (and Jim) of Silver Spring, Md., and David Mauro (and Lisa) of Jamestown, N.Y., all of whom survived their mother. In addition, she is survived by 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

When Syl died unexpectedly, Juanita found herself widowed at age 31, with six children to raise and care for herself. She quickly understood that she had to get a job even though she had no high school diploma or driver’s license. She subsequently obtained her G.E.D., entered the Jamestown School of Practical Nursing, and worked as an license practical nurse at Jamestown General Hospital and for Dr. Charles Sinatra.

Eventually, in 1973, because of her love of the elderly, she founded Randolph Manor Home for Adults where she served and cared for many residents for more than two decades, retiring in 1996.

Juanita was married again in 1990 to a wonderful man, Dr. Fred Giddy, who survives her. Dr. Giddy was a widower who had five daughters of his own when he married her. They both loved to entertain, dance and travel which they did from Alaska to Argentina, and to many places in between.

She was a member of Our Lady of Loreto Catholic Church in Falconer, a former officer with the Western New York Adult Care Home Association, and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Jamestown Shrine Club.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be said at Our Lady of Loreto Catholic Church in Falconer, on Tuesday, July 3, 2018, at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Joseph Janaczek as celebrant. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in the town of Ellicott with a celebration of life immediately following at Our Lady of Loreto’s School hall where family and friends will be received.

She was preceded in death by her brothers: Luke, Ralph, Paul, William and Bruce; and by her sister, Betty Whitford.

Her family wishes for Juanita to be remembered for always serving others before herself. She touched the lives of all that knew her and she was a true and loving servant of the Lord. Her family also wishes to thank Home Care and Hospice of Olean, N.Y., and especially the staff at Randolph Manor for their loving care.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Van Rensselaer & Son Funeral Home, 14 Church St., Randolph, N.Y. To leave a condolence, log onto www.vanrensselaer andsonfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Juanita Mauro Giddy Nursing Scholarship, c/o Jamestown Community College Foundation, 525 Falconer St., P.O. Box 20, Jamestown, NY 14702- 0020, or Home Care and Hospice, 1225 W. State St., Olean, NY 14760.