We are saddened to share that our mother, Juanita Helene Pruner, 77, passed away on September 26 at Mt. Greylock extended care facility in Pittsfield, MA.

Nita was born on August 25, 1946 in Greenfield, MA to Donald G. Newton Sr., and Helen (Dobias) Newton. She graduated from Wallkill Central High School in Wallkill, NY before going on to earn her nursing degree from Vassar Brothers Hospital School of Nursing. She would later earn her bachelor's degree in public health from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

She enjoyed a long career as a labor and delivery nurse with stops in Georgia and multiple hospitals in Western Massachusetts. It was a regular occurrence that she would receive mail from parents sharing updates on the babies that our mom had helped to deliver. Later in her career she would work as a school nurse and health teacher in the Gateway Regional School District.

When not at work, she was a dedicated mother who made her presence known at our various sporting events, plays and concerts. She chaperoned many of our field trips, much to the frustration of the teenage versions of us. She was an award-winning pie baker on the Massachusetts county fair circuit and had a side hustle before it was cool, baking and decorating cakes for special occasions. She somehow also found time to be a long-time school committee member.

She leaves behind three children: Sarah, Kate and JJ; six grandsons: Max, Ryan, Avery, Landon, Wesley and Dean; a granddaughter: Lauren; and a host of others whose lives she touched. We all miss her very much.

In lieu of flowers, we would ask you to please consider making a donation to Hospice Care in the Berkshires. They did so much to make our mother’s final weeks as peaceful and happy as possible and we are forever grateful.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/juanita-pruner/obituary/

Copy