Juanita Robles Rosario, Guany, 77 years old, from Conway, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on Tuesday September 20, 2016 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie, New York.

Juanita was born October 11, 1938, in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, to Gregoria Burgos and Sergio Robles. The second of eleven children, Juanita lived in Puerto Rico until the age of 16, when she came to Brooklyn, New York. There she met her husband of 58 years, Antonio Rosario; they were married January 5, 1957. Together they raised her younger siblings along with their three daughters and six nephew and nieces. Juanita worked as a seamstress and Patient Care Technician. She and her husband retired to Puerto Rico in 1987 and then to Conway, South Carolina in 2012.

Juanita was one of Jehovah’s Witness, a lover of Jehovah and righteousness; she was a devoted daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. She was hospitable, loved cooking, sewing, singing, dancing, traveling, and entertaining family and friends. She was also a lover of animals. She was an avid and passionate gardener of all types of tropical fruits, flowers and plants. Juanita brought up her eight younger brothers and sisters after the death of her mother, Gregoria Burgos, in 1952 until 1957 when her husband Antonio became her partner in their upbringing. In 1976, she and Antonio took in her six nephews and nieces upon the death of her sister Ana M. Robles Suarez in addition to her three daughters. She is known to many as “Mami” in one capacity or another.

Juanita is survived by her husband Antonio Rosario; daughters and sons-in law, Rose E. and William A. Merz, Marilyn and Michael A. VanWagenen, Mildred R. and Carmine A. Annunziato; her grandchildren, Sheena M. and Luigi Nardi, Tyler D. Schaffer and Anthony A. Merz;her siblings Jorge L. and Iraida Robles, Gloria Robles, Jose A. and Antonia Robles, Nedia M. and Manuel Rosario, Edwin and Joy Robles and Gilbert and Norma Robles; and her beloved kitties, Ruby and Mischu.

Juanita was predeceased by her mother Gregoria Burgos; father Sergio Robles; granddaughter Megan L. Schaffer; siblings. Iris Myrta Robles, Anna M. Robles Suarez, Jose D. Robles, Hector L. Robles; and nephews Luis A. Robles (Anthony) and Eddie Robles.

Visiting hours will be Saturday, September 24, 2016, 2 pm - 5 pm followed by a Memorial Talk at 5 pm by Luigi Nardi at McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill, New York 12524.