Juanita Mae O'Neill Obituary (1930 - 2021)

Juanita Mae O'Neill August 14, 1930 - February 18,2021 Juanita Mae O'Neill passed away on February 18, 2021 in Tucson, Arizona at the age of 90. The daughter of Homer and Bessie (Pool) Moses of Springfield, Missouri, was born August 14, 1930. Juanita is preceded in death by her former husband, Herbert Francis Lightner, sister and brother-in-law, Betty Jean (Moses) Gray and Frank Gray, brothers-in-law, Joseph Lightner, Tom Lightner, and James Lightner, sisters-in-law, Joan Collison Lightner, and Francis Marie Lightner, stepson, Tony O'Neill, and sister-in-law, Jane O'Neill. She is survived by her husband, William G. O'Neill of Tucson, Arizona, daughter, Julia Lightner Dodd (Charlie), grandson, Andrew Dodd (Aimee), great grandchildren, Jackson Dodd and Shelby Dodd, stepdaughters, Catherine O'Neill Conover (Bob), Betsy O'Neill Courtney, step-brother, Eugene O'Neill, sister-in-law, Judy Lightner, and numerous nieces and nephews. Juanita grew up in Springfield, Missouri where she graduated from Springfield High School in 1947 and married Herb Lightner in 1949. Little did Herb and Juanita know that Herb's job with Kinney Shoes would take them from coast to coast to live in ten different cities in 24 years. No matter where she lived, Juanita made life-long friends with her great sense of humor and her spontaneous, fun-loving nature. Move number four is where Juanita's work career began at Bell Telephone Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her professional phone voice and attention to detail made her a successful sales representative and business secretary. Juanita would eventually become Herb's full-time secretary, bookkeeper, and weekly newsletter publisher. Sadly in 1947, Herb Lightner suddenly passed away at the age of 45. After several years of living alone, Juanita's Brother-in-law, Jim Lightner, suggested a blind date with his widowed friend, William (Bill) O'Neill. Juanita and Bill, ages 65 and 69 respectively, fell in love and were married February 18, 1996, approximately three months after that blind date. The young lovers spent the majority of their married life in Tucson, enjoying the occasional trip to the mountains of Northern Arizona, hosting blended family Thanksgivings, and caring for their blended family of cats. Fortunate to have found love later in life, Juanita and Bill enjoyed each other's company for 25 years. In 2013, after she and Bill moved to their independent living community, Juanita renewed her love for painting. She attended weekend painting classes and displayed her artwork in community art exhibits. Her family and friends will always treasure her artwork she created especially for them. Juanita was an avid gardener, transforming her desert patio into a mini oasis with pots of beautiful flowers and water for the birds. Her biggest passion was her love of animals. Throughout her life she spoiled a menagerie of cats, and one very special rescue dog, Mr. Ollie. As the difficulties of this year unfolded, Juanita felt a deep appreciation for her senior community who supported her when so many families and friends were unable to be with each other. In expression of her gratitude and in creative spirit, she composed an anonymous thank you note that was printed in her community newsletter this past July. It reads in part: "To everyone who helps us daily and to all who work behind the scenes. You may not know me, but I know you. You are the young women and men who care for us and make us hopeful that we will all get through this.... Love is all around us and maybe we just did not see it until we looked at all the kindness... we see and feel every day. It's true, you don't know me, but I know you and I love you." In loving memory of Juanita, please pass along a kind word or deed to those around you today. I Love you Mom.