Juanita Rosales Magdaleno

Juanita Magdaleno, 87, of Grants Pass died Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, at her home.A family memorial service will be held. Magdaleno was born Jan. 1, 1924, in Eugene. When she was a child, her family moved to San Francisco. She was educated in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she lived until she retired. Her career in civil service began with the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, where she worked as a clerk. In 1963, she went to work for the city of Richmond Public Works Department, while concurrently earning her associate's degree at Contra Costa Community College. She then worked as an administrative assistant to the Richmond city manager. For many years, she volunteered as a campaigner for United Way.In 1980, she earned her bachelor's degree in public administration from Hayward State University, then established the first paratransit program for the state of California. In 1982, she was given a meritorious award by Caltrans for her role in developing transportation resources for senior citizens and the disabled.In 1988, she retired to Grants Pass to be near family. She was a lifelong learner and, in 1990, she took computer science classes at Rogue Community College, then became a founding member of the Rogue Area Senior Computer Assistance League. She volunteered for many years as a tax preparer for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, wrote grants for Habitat for Humanity and was an ESL tutor.She enjoyed golfing, cooking, gardening and being with family and friends.Survivors include a daughter, Kathy Hover of Grants Pass; a brother, Frank Rosales of Grants Pass; a sister, Lupe Ortega of Tracy, Calif.; and three grandchildren.A son, James Magdaleno, died before her.