Juanita "Nita" Leonino, 78, died on July 27, 2003.

Born the youngest of nine children, Nita was raised in Lepanto, married Dominic Leonino in 1946, and then moved to Ohio, where she raised seven children. Always well read and informed, Nita was a strong believer in education so much that she started college at the University of Houston, Texas, and received her B.A. in English at the age of 60 while working full time. Nita worked at and eventually retired from the University of Houston's International Law Department before returning to Ohio to live near three of her seven children.

Nita was preceded in death by her beloved parents, John and Mary Henderson; her two brothers, Clay and Rivers Henderson; four of her sisters, Lucille, Irene, Julia and Jenny; and by Dominic Leonino.

Survivors include her children, Cheryl (Al) Frank, with whom she resided in Stow prior to her hospice stay at Bath Manor, Mary Leonino of Washington, D.C., Terry Leonino (Greg Artzner) of Takoma Park, Md., Kathleen (James) Stimler of Cuyahoga Falls, Daniel (Robin) Leonino of Cuyahoga Falls, Martha Leonino of Austin, Texas, and Rose (Lynn) James of Scottsdale, Ariz.; her five grandchildren, Glenn (Dawn) Heffner, Jon Heffner, Neal and Nick Stimler, and Lauren Leonino; and three great-grandchildren, Ashley, Zachary and Nicole Heffner. She leaves her two wonderful sisters, Jonnie Carroll of Memphis, Tenn. and Frances Jones of Lepanto; many nieces and nephews and dear friends from her days in Texas and New York.

Nita was a beloved mother, and inspirational educator, loyal co-worker, a singer and songwriter, bird watcher, nature lover, fabulous cook, and a very spiritual woman.

Burial was held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Cuyahoga Falls on Saturday, August 2, 2003 at 12:30 p.m. Burial at Northampton Cemetery followed.

The family suggests that contributions be made to the University of Akron's Women's Committee Scholarship Fund, the University of Akron, 44325-2603.