Juanita Gary, Possum Point Players member
Juanita “Nita” Gary passed away Thursday, July 20, 2023.
Born a 1933 depression baby May 24 (Queen Victoria's birthday, which delighted her Canadian grandfather), Nita grew up in Kent County, married and reared her children in New Castle County, and in 1980 moved to Lewes in Sussex County, liking it best. She was a late-bird graduate of University of Delaware and retired from the then-named College of Marine Studies in 1994. Always the ham, she was a member (and longtime chief bartender) of Possum Point Players community theatre, both onstage and backstage, and sound effects person for its subgroup, the Ad Hoc Touring Co. (now PPP Radio Theater Co.). She was so happy to have almost completed her bucket list, at least able to visit all 50 states of our beautiful U.S.A. So much contentment was found reading, cross-stitching, crafting, starting her day with crossword puzzles, and learning, learning and learning.
She survived three bouts of ovarian cancer, only mentioning it to perk up someone, assuring them that it isn't a death sentence and that a positive attitude does help one survive. She also gives many thanks to the medical profession for helping her reach a jolly old age.
Survivors are her son, Dean L. Gary (Judy); daughters, Lynne G. Laino (Vince), Dawn P. G. Reyes (Eduardo) and Gwen M. Reamer (Mike); 11 grandchildren, Gig, Tripp, Andrew, Steffany, Samantha, Molly, MacKenzie, Annie, Melissa, Justin and Adam; and five great-grandchildren, Lilliana, Cameron, Sophia, and Nani and Yovani. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frederick and Margaret Latter; her sister, Eileen; and her grandson, Jeffrey Alan.
Nita said she was so thankful for her kids who, she insisted, grew up well in spite of her. She also called herself one lucky duck to have found so many friends (her possums), especially her good neighbors, John and Carol Bismark.
Having hosted a couple of disastrous parties, thus fearing if a wake were held no one would come, Nita elected to have only a private service and burial.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
She leaves those she loved with some words of a favorite anonymous poem: “Live your life, laugh again, enjoy yourself, be free. “Then I know with every breath you take, you'll be taking one for me."
Contributions may be made to a favorite charity, or to the group in which she was happiest, Possum Point Players, P.O. Box 96, Georgetown, DE 19947.
Visit Nita’s Life Memorial webpage and sign her virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
