Juanita H. Loveranes

Juanita H. Loveranes

Beloved wife, mom and Nana, Juanita Helen Hidalgo Loveranes, left her earthly life peacefully in her sleep at her home in Erie, PA in the early morning hours of March 5, 2024.

Juanita, known by many sobriquets: Nita, Nitz, Helen, Janet (Jah-net), was born in San Felipe, Pangasinan Province, Philippines on June 26, 1944,  the daughter of Leon M. and Avelina L. Hidalgo. She married her beloved husband of almost fifty-eight years, Dr. Mariano D. Loveranes on May 1, 1966.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and she is survived by her loving husband; four children, Mario (& Jennifer) Loveranes of Reston, VA, Marygrace Loveranes (& Marc) Reese of Meadville, PA, Michael (& Amy) Loveranes of Erie, PA, and Dr. Melissa Loveranes of Erie, PA; nine grandchildren, Jacob Loveranes, Jayden Loveranes, Riley Reese, Liam Reese, Elena Reese, Mia Reese, Aliya Loveranes, Caitlin Loveranes, and Elizabeth Loveranes; two sisters, Isabelita H. Aglipay of Fort Washington, MD, Luisa H. (& Henry) Siador of Stockton, CA; many cousins, nieces and nephews, and her dedicated compassionate caregiver of more than three years, Nichole Stiner of Union City, PA.

Nita attended and graduated valedictorian of San Felipe Elementary School. As a young girl she was a Girl Scout and Princess at town fiestas and festivals. She graduated Binalonan High School, Binalonan, Pangasinan, Philippines in 1960 where she was Binalonan Varsitarian Muse, Colonel in the Binalonan High School ROTC and also chosen as Lion's Club Muse. Moving to Manila to attend the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Nita graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Science concentration in 1964 and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Technology in 1966. Due to her academic excellence, Nita was appointed Group Leader of Medical Technology by the administration of the UST Medical Technology/Pharmacy Department.

While her husband was still in medical school, she traveled to America to receive specialized training in her chosen field of clinical pathology at Kansas City General Hospital in Missouri. Her single-minded goal to return to the U.S. once Mariano finished his medical education was realized in 1974 when he gained admission into a General Surgery Residency program in Cleveland, OH.

Juanita's earlier U.S. training proved providential. There was high demand for her expertise and certification in Cleveland at the time, and she secured a position at the Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital Department of Pathology. Staying behind to tie-up loose ends in Manila, she arrived in the U.S. several weeks later with their two children, Mario and Marygrace, a red Samsonite suitcase, and many dreams and aspirations for the future.

They encountered bumps in the road along the way including being burglarized twice in a short period of time, and later, the residency program closed when Mariano was four years into the five-year program. Discouraged but never giving up, led by their shared faith and prayerfulness, together they found a way, and Mariano was admitted into the General Surgery Residency program at Hamot Medical Center in Erie, PA.  In a one-day whirlwind house hunting and reconnaissance trip spearheaded by Juanita, they found their new Erie home. Wise management of her earnings allowed them to supplement a meager resident salary providing enough buffer for her to stay home with their young family which grew to include their son, Michael, soon after they moved into their new home.

General Surgery residency completed, the family set down roots in Corry, PA. During that time, their fourth child, Melissa, was born. In Corry, Juanita was instrumental to and an integral part of the establishment and success of Mariano’s private solo surgical and medical practice. She was Certified as a Medical Lab Scientist by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, and a long time member of the American Society of Medical Technologists. However, she was better known as the kind and welcoming face at the office of her husband, which she oversaw as office, billing, and procurement manager, but also filled in as receptionist and nurse when needed. Juanita put her medical laboratory training and certification to use by providing a range of in-house laboratory services, testing and analyses to expedite and facilitate patients’ diagnoses and treatment plans.

Far from being all work and no play, Nitz enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, the beach and being on the water, fishing, reading, dancing, music and musicals, duck-pin bowling, sewing and other handicrafts. As a family they'd play cards, mahjong, and Scrabble late into the night. She also played video games with the children and gloated when she beat their high scores and was the undefeated house Scrabble Champion for many years.

Nitz and Mariano cultivated decades-long lasting friendships that continue to this day. She had friendships that began as early as elementary school, to her days in Kansas City and the years spent in Cleveland. Her friendships from the Erie and Corry years were marked by the large monthly and sometimes bi-monthly get-togethers that involved rounds of poker play by the men while the ladies sat and visited and children played and socialized. When poker ended, all would re-assemble as a larger group to catch-up and reconnect and eat from the feast set out before them. Throughout the years came celebrations of birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, bridal showers, weddings, and baby showers. They mourned together at tearful funerals as well. Nitz fondly remembered those times, valued all of those friendships and cherished each of those friends.

Strict when she felt it necessary while her children were in their formative years, Nita allowed her indulgent nature to take front stage as Nana to her nine much-loved grandchildren. Nana was the quintessential permissive and indulgent grandparent, unrecognizable to the now-adult children she raised, who remember her more stern attitudes from their own childhoods. Nana enjoyed every second, every minute even amidst health challenges that arose in her later life. This was the future and family for which she and her husband worked so hard. She savored time with her loving and protective family during Sunday dinners, holidays, birthdays, and family vacations from Maine to Maui, the Hamptons to Manhattan, Oahu to Charleston and Hilton Head Island. Unabashed joy lit up her face seeing and hugging and spoiling her grandchildren. What Nana couldn’t say verbally, she was able to through her eyes, in every smile, gesture and tight embrace.

For many years, when they weren't spending time with family, Mar and Nitz could be found waiting at airports for their flight to take off on yet another jaunt to destinations near and far. They visited friends and family, and attended reunions and conferences across the country and around the world. Those who couldn't join them on their farflung journeys frequently received updates and photos of their traveling adventures, the elaborate galas they attended, and the culinary delights they enjoyed.

Though her travel through this life has now reached its final destination, she is only a memory, a laugh, or a familiar song away. She will always remain in our hearts. Nita will be remembered as a feisty, determined and headstrong, yet loving, compassionate and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Friends who wish to pay their respects may call on her family at the Burton Quinn Scott Funeral Home - West Ridge Location, 3801 W. 26th Street, Erie, PA 16506, on Friday, March 15 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, March 16 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  A Funeral Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. in the Burton Quinn Scott Funeral Home Chapel at the same location. Interment of her ashes will be at Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery in June following a Celebration of Life to commemorate what would have been her 80th birthday.

A dinner reception for friends and family after the service will be held at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center - West Ballroom. All are welcome to attend regardless of ability to attend prior scheduled arrangements. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be directed to Burton Quinn Scott Funeral Home to be applied to the Juanita H. Loveranes Legacy Fund and Scholarship.

Live stream of service can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/BurtonQuinnScott/