BUMPASS, VA --- Juanita Baker was born in Lakeport, New Hampshire, on June 22, 1961, to John Joseph Sykie and June Rebecca Sykie (née Bowels). She came home to Lakeport, surrounded by those she loved and those who loved her, to pass peacefully into the Lord’s arms on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
She entered life into an already growing family, the fifth of seven children. She loved her siblings fiercely and, no matter where she was in life, her desire to connect with them, check in, and express her love was strong and unwavering.
Being a sibling to so many provided stories aplenty, and one of her family’s favorite tales involved a beloved dog named Dooley. After a grocery trip, the family loaded everyone and everything into the car — or so they thought. Dooley remained in the car and refused to leave. While Juanita’s father was serving his country in the Vietnam War and her mother was holding her young and rambunctious family together, Dooley realized something no one else had noticed until they sat down at the table to eat: Juanita had been left behind at the grocery store! Thanks to the small, wonderful New England communities of her youth, she was in good hands. When her mother returned to the store, she found Juanita enjoying a free ice cream, smiling and content, with an employee laughing kindly and saying, “We know you have your hands full, June — we knew you’d be back.”
Juanita was as tough as a two-dollar steak — a phrase she adored and embodied with grace and humor. She was a vibrant soul and an eternal optimist, choosing always to see the bright side, even in the face of illness. She never missed an opportunity to express her gratitude for the blessings in her life, especially her family and friends. It was an honor and a privilege to care for her in her final years. Though we drove each other crazy at times, our love only grew deeper, woven through everyday moments, small victories, shared frustrations, and countless conversations. Caregiving was a family effort — we all did our part, even if it was just a phone call to check in, to talk about everything or nothing at all. Her beloved grandchildren popping in after work for a quick hug and to talk about their day meant the world to her.
Juanita understood that love is not measured by grand gestures, but by the simple act of being there — day in and day out. Though life was not always easy, she remained optimistic, embracing growth, learning from experience, and finding strength in faith, perseverance, and humor.
She found joy in the simple things. She loved long country back-woods drives, hikes in the woods, and the quiet beauty of nature. She had a lifelong love of animals — from a pet raccoon named Randy, to bunnies, and of course her many beloved dogs. Some of her happiest moments were spent with family and friends, gathered around a table playing board games and cards, sharing laughter, inside jokes, and stories that grew funnier over time. She treasured the quiet solitude of a good movie, and even more so, the comfort of a good book and a hot cup of tea.
She enjoyed working many years in the service industries, including 10 years as a newspaper carrier for the Laconia Citizen, and as a caregiver to patients in need of help and companionship for the VNA Hospice in Franklin, NH — by far one of her favorite roles. Always known to be a hard worker, she won clients over with her work ethic, kindness, and friendly ways.
Juanita was a natural storyteller with a heart full of memories. She loved reminiscing about her family, especially her beloved mother and father, and spoke often of the happy times spent with her grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Those stories were her way of keeping them close — reminders of where she came from, who she loved, and the roots that shaped her gentle spirit.
She is survived by her daughters, Alexandria Butler, of Bumpass, VA (and her beloved late husband David Butler, now home with the Lord), Sonya Hoffman (née White) and her husband Neal, of San Diego, CA, Sarah White and her husband Joshua Hutchinson, of Orange, VA, June Rebecca Baker, of Laconia, NH, Mae Paonessa (née Baker), of Laconia, NH, and Ashley Regos and husband Daniel (née White), of Gulf Breeze, FL, and her beloved sons Nico and Mason. Juanita loved Ashley and thought she was a special person and considered her and her family an extension of her own daughters. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren David Butler, of Mineral, VA, Grace Butler and her partner Dakota Breeden, of Bumpass, VA, Christopher Butler and his partner Kailey Stewart, of Mineral, VA, Leah Hoffman, of San Diego, CA, Nathan Hoffman, of San Diego, CA, Austin White, of Belmont, NH, Hallee White and her partner Alan Cote, of Laconia, NH, Lily White, of Bumpass, VA, Zoe Paonessa and Maddie Paonessa; adopted grandchildren, Kaitlyn Smart and her partner Andrew Bonnett , of Jacksonville, NC, and their beloved children: Steven and sweet precious Willow, Cody Smart, of Jacksonville, NC, and Shannon Coffin; siblings Marcia Rouillard and her husband Greek, of Twin Mountain, NH, John Sykie and his wife Tammy, of Charlestown, NH, and Darren Sykie, of Lebanon, NH.
Juanita was preceded in death by her father, John Joseph Sykie, her mother, June Rebecca Sykie (née Bowels), and her beloved aunt, Alice Sykie. She was also preceded in death by her siblings, Rebecca Eveleth (née Sykie), of Wakefield, NH, David Sykie, of Gilmanton, NH, and Lenora “Peggy” Baud (née Sykie), of Sanbornville, NH.
Juanita will be laid to rest at New Riverside Cemetery in Alton, NH, in the spring.
A Celebration of Life will follow in July, her favorite time of year.
In lieu of flowers, Juanita would want you to donate to your local animal shelter or wildlife refuge.
In the words she uttered to so many of us, “Goodnight and angels all around you.”
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.