Juanita E. "Dete" Hitchens

Juanita E. “Dete” Hitchens of Somerset, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at the age of 86. Juanita was born in Somerset, Ohio on December 9, 1937. She was the only daughter of the late Harold and Monica (Emmert) Hitchens. Juanita graduated from Holy Trinity High School in 1955 and took a position at the Rosary Press in Somerset, where she worked for ten years. In 1965, Juanita began her career in the billing department at the Newark Advocate, where she worked with her cousin, Mary Wagner. They retired together in 2002 after 37 years of devoted service. Juanita enjoyed delving into her family tree and spent many hours researching her ancestry. She loved sharing pictures and stories of family members from both the Hitchens and Emmert sides of the family. She looked forward to the Emmert family reunion each year. Aunt “Dete” remained single throughout her lifetime but was a devoted aunt to her ten nieces and nephews, as well as many great nieces and nephews. She willingly and lovingly opened her home for extended visits and assisted them with sewing, baking, cooking and other projects throughout their youth. Juanita was a devout Catholic and a life-long member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Somerset. She was a member of the Rosary Altar Society and volunteered her sewing talents to benefit the annual Holy Trinity Garden Party. She is survived by her brother, Michael A. Hitchens of Somerset. In addition to her parents, Juanita was preceded in death by her brothers, Harold W. Hitchens of Newark and John J. Hitchens of Somerset. Friends may call from 10-11 a.m. Friday, September 27, 2024, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Somerset. A funeral mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Father Andre’ Joseph LaCasse O.P. officiating. Internment will follow in Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery. Bope-Thomas Funeral Home in Somerset is entrusted with the arrangements.

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