Juanita M. (Striplin) Freitas

Mrs. Juanita M. (Striplin) Freitas, of Venice, Florida and Waltham, died on Monday, February 17, 2020 in Englewood Community Hospital. She was 78.

Juanita was born on April 29, 1941 in Jerome, Arizona, the daughter of the late Robert and Frances (Peck) Striplin. She was raised and educated in California where she graduated from Palmdale High School and furthered her education at Antelope Valley College. While in California she met Anthony J. Freitas while he was serving with the Air Force. The pair would return east together and after marriage lived in Cambridge briefly before settling in Waltham where they would raise their three sons. Before her retirement she had worked as a receptionist for the Coca Cola Company. Retirement afforded Juanita and Anthony the chance to spend their winters in Florida and the rest of the year back in Waltham with their family.

She was the beloved wife of the late Anthony J. Freitas and is survived by her sons, Scott A. Freitas (Linda Amaral) of Waltham, Anthony R. Freitas (Tarra Voutour) of Waltham and Donald P. Freitas (Cyndi) of Melrose; her grandchildren, Jennifer, Anthony, Matthew and Ava Lynn Freitas and Michelle Lyons; her siblings, Janice Hill (George), Robert Striplin (Virginia) and Kenneth Striplin (late Carole) and also leaves nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Juanita's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham, on Sunday, March 1st from 2 to 5 p.m. Her graveside service will be held on Monday, March 2nd at 11 a.m. in Calvary Cemetery, 250 High Street, Waltham.