Juana Escalante Meza's Obituary
On Wednesday, November 16, 2022, Juana Escalante Meza, a loving mother, passed into rest at age 82.
She was born on June 24th, 1940 in Thornton, Texas. Her career was as a Finish Club Sander & Custom Iron Maker in the Custom Golf Club equipment division of Titleist. She worked for the Acushnet Company in Escondido until the company moved to Carlsbad, for a total of 37 years.
Juana was one of the original Hernandez/Escalante family that moved from Texas in 1941 to Escondido. She often spoke of her belief that second to her relationship with her Heavenly Father, that family was the the next most essential thing in life.
Janie's family was in the process of moving from Texas to California on December 7th, 1941, the day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Officials at the Texas/New Mexico state line told them to return to Thornton because “the Japanese had invaded and taken over California.” They choose not to go back and continued their journey to the West with 1-year-old Janie in the back of the 1940 Army Cargo truck they were traveling in.
They settled in Escondido, where she married Roy David Meza, with whom she had two children, Roy and Yvette. Janie lived in Escondido her entire life.
One of her happiest and favorite times of the year was the Hernandez Family Reunion, a tradition held each summer on the last Saturday in July since 1976. It is a huge gathering as Janie’s extended family encompasses over 1,000 members.
Janie was best known for her wisdom, quick-witted humor, fierce determination, sense of right and wrong, precious laughter, and generous spirit. She was a devoted Padres and Chargers fan and rarely missed watching a game.
Her compassion for anyone less fortunate was never-ending, as was her love of the Word of Life Church, where Roy and his wife Evelyn are also members.
Juana was the Daughter of Martin Escalante and Librada Hernandez. She was preceded in death by her siblings; Manual, Ignacio, Sophia, and Amparo.
She is survived by her sister Gloria Escalante, her son Roy Meza and his wife Evelyn. Her daughter Yvette Gring and her husband Ron, her granddaughter Breeanna Reyes, and her husband Jose, and grandsons Felipe and Roy. She leaves behind 8 great-grandchildren: Zachariah, Joshua, Achilles, Levi, Jade, Keanu, Sophia, and Stevie Rose.
Her passing will leave a great emptiness in many people's lives.
A Viewing and Memorial Service will be held on Monday, November 28th, from 4 to 8:00 pm, at Alhiser-Comer Mortuary, 225 South Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025. A private Burial date is TBD at Oak Hill Memorial Park.
What’s your fondest memory of Juana?
What’s a lesson you learned from Juana?
Share a story where Juana's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Juana you’ll never forget.
How did Juana make you smile?