Juanita Beaven Wood

Juanita Lee Beaven Wood, 95, of Leawood, Kansas passed away peacefully on February 19, 2024. Visitation will be held at Muehlebach Funeral Home Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, at 6800 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO. Rosary will be said at 7:30.  Service will be held on Saturday, February 24th at Muehlebach Chapel at 10:00 a.m. and burial to follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Juanita Lee Ballard was born January 21, 1929.  She lived most of her life in the Kansas City area, she attended Bishop Lillis High School and graduated in 1945.

She married Emmett Andrew Beaven in 1947 and they had six children. She was preceded in death by her parents Bryan and Madeline Ballard; husband Emmett Beaven, husband Jean Wood, and husband George Schweitzer; her son David Beaven; her sister Mary Quanty, and her sister Bernice Wood. Her survivors include her son, Stephen Beaven (Kathy); her daughter Debbie Brown (Denny); her daughter Jenny Beaven (Kathy Matthews); her son Mark Beaven; and her son Danny Beaven. Juanita was blessed with grandchildren Alexis, Tyler, Drew and Chelsea Beaven; Matthew and Emily Brown; Mia Matthews-Beaven; and Ryan and Kate Beaven. She also had 4 great grandchildren, Leo Beaven, Lina and Timothy Brown, and Joe Beaven.  She also leaves her longtime favorite furry companion, Barney.

Juanita lived a long life with many people that loved her. She was a dedicated stay at home mom and housewife. Juanita spent a portion of her life volunteering at the Community Blood Center on Main Street in Kansas City.  After raising her family, she worked as an administrator at Archbishop O’Hara High School for 14 years and retired in 1987.  She was an avid gardener and loved feeding her birds, landscaping, and decorating her home. Upon retirement she spent some time living on the lake in Bella Vista, Arkansas where she and her husband Jean enjoyed fishing and boating. She returned to Kansas City after six years and lived her remaining years here.  Juanita will be remembered by her children and grandchildren as a devoted Catholic woman with strength, impeccable taste who always had a lot to talk about.  We will miss her long conversations and the stories of her life which she so proudly told us.  “Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven, where the love of our lost one pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.”

Juanita's Charities:  Critter House KC and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital