Juanita Neva Cowdery
Feb 1, 1924 -
May 26, 2020
World famous Alaskan doll maker and the "bride" of Senator John Cowdery for 62 years, Juanita Cowdery passed away at home with loving family at her side as the sun was rising on May 26, 2020.
Born on Feb. 1, 1924, in Long Beach, Calif., to parents Ruth and Thomas Kinslow, Juanita was the fifth of six children born to the family: Lois, Irene, Dorothy, Delmar and (Bubber) Roy Kinslow. The Kinslow's always took care of the family, a trait passed to future generations. Juanita's sons Billy McHenry and Thomas McHenry were born in the 1940s.
The first time Juanita met John he was playing guitar at a "Dance Hall" party. Juanita was wearing sandals and the beach was sandy, so John opened her car door and literally swept her off her feet, carrying her all the way to the dance. Juanita found that John was different. He wanted to meet Juanita's sons and get acquainted. John was persistent, thoughtful, had good character and cared about family. John was a hard worker and achieved much in his life, John was that kind of man. John was 21, Juanita was 27: John accepted that. Juanita soon fell deeply in love with John. They were married in a small chapel on June 21, 1951, and moved to Alaska: 30-plus days driving the Alcan Highway and they hurried. The family bonded with the birth of Pamela Cowdery in 1954.
Juanita was a huge part of the family business Cowdery Excavating and Construction. Juanita was wife, mom, secretary, all in stride.
John and Juanita were a team. One day, Juanita decided to dig a well. She dug all day long, soon realizing that she could not get out of the hole. John came home to find Juanita still digging. John gave her a ladder, then asked what was for dinner. Juanita gave John the shovel, and started preparing dinner. Two shovels later, John yelled to Juanita that he hit water. The well still exists today and the water is crystal clear.
Juanita was a wonderful wife, mom, grandma and great-grandma. Juanita's family inherited her family values, and all helped Juanita in her elder years. Everyone adored her.
Tom and Bill joined the Navy in the 1960s. Juanita wrote each of them every day. Tom was deployed to Vietnam thereafter. Juanita and John always said that period, with two sons in a war zone was the hardest time of their lives.
John always said, "I make money while I sleep" and so did Juanita. Juanita was a dedicated, hard worker. John always complimented Juanita saying that she never hesitated to help, no matter the task.
Juanita was a talented artist. As a child, Juanita always took her dolls apart to see how they worked. Later in life she created original Native Alaskan porcelain dolls. Juanita met Anna Anvil from Bethel. Anna sewed all the clothes for the Native dolls, their artwork together reflected the lifestyle of Alaskan Villages. In the 1980s Juanita attended a doll convention in California to exhibit her dolls. While there, a gentleman approached her and wanted to purchase them all. He was a doll collector, and asked Juanita several times how much money Juanita wanted. Juanita told them that they were not for sale, but he insistently asked for her contact information, plus wanted to visit her studios in Alaska. He did indeed.
Later that year, he made a trip to Anchorage and offered again, saying he would purchase all Juanita's dolls for whatever amount requested. He then mentioned that he could even give her gold! Juanita called John, he asked how much was offered. Juanita mentioned the offer of gold. Immediately, John said "Trade it!"
Juanita has her Native Alaskan dolls displayed in the White House and the Governor's Mansion, in Juneau. Juanita opened a co-op art gallery in downtown Anchorage, had contracts with Princess Tours, Portage Glacier Gift Shop and various gift shops locally and worldwide. Granddaughter Tara and Juanita had an extraordinarily strong bond since Tara was born. Juanita taught Tara art. Tara has become a renowned artist as well.
John and Juanita were adventurous. The family owned a snowmobile shop in the '70s. The family raced every weekend in the winter. Pamela was sent a letter inviting her to race in the Women's World Championship Snowmobile Race in 1972. They had two boats in Whittier, named the Johnita1, and Johnita2. They built homes for their children and themselves. John and Juanita never met a stranger. They were known for always helping anyone having trouble. They were the best parents and grandparents, and raised their children teaching them honor, respect, hunting, fishing, business, common sense and thinking outside the box.
Many people urged John to become a legislator. So, he did. Then becoming a senator. Juanita was the perfect senator's wife, attending every meeting and gaining quite the reputation with everyone at the Capitol. The Senate gifted her a reserved heated seat with her name embroidered because she was cold. Everyone adored her.
Juanita Cowdery was our matriarch. The family's go-to person. If you had a problem or wanted to talk, Juanita gave you her special undivided attention. Even in the last few weeks of her life when she was taken to the hospital. Family could not be with her. Juanita called and asked Pam if she had car keys. Answering "yes," Pam reminded Juanita that she was in the hospital and can't leave. Juanita asked "How are we going to pull this off?"
Juanita really loved talking to people and was quite the charmer and a classy woman. Not only was Juanita an incredible human being, she so very much loved her family and would do anything for them. She taught three generations the value of family and relationships. Lesson learned.
Juanita Cowdery is survived by three children, Pamela Cowdery, Tom McHenry (Carla) and Bill McHenry (Linda); grandchildren, Chuck McHenry (Stephanie), Ashley Hartman (Paul) and Tara Raven; great-grandchildren, Erin McHenry, Gavin McHenry, Zoe McHenry and Louie Hartman. Viewing will be at Janssen Funeral home on Tuesday, June 2, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. and her burial at 3 p.m., at Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery. A "Celebration of Life" will be held at a later date.
