LAKE LEELANAU — Juana Moran Zamora, 81, of Lake Leelanau, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Juana was born on July 25, 1944, in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, the daughter of Macario and Maria (Moran) Sanchez. In 1959, in Texas, she married Jose Zamora, who preceded her in death on February 3, 2021.

Juana was a tiny woman with a heart of gold. She had a remarkable green thumb and found great joy tending to her flowers and garden—while her yard may have been small, her garden was abundant. She loved painting statues, especially those of the Virgin Mary, and her home was filled with cherished religious figures that reflected her deep faith.

A devoted mother, Juana raised nine children with strength, patience, and unconditional love. She worked with special needs children in Texas and Ohio at the Agape Community Center and in Montessori schools, dedicating her life to caring for others. She lived in Texas, Mexico, and Milwaukee throughout her life, carrying her warmth and kindness wherever she went.

Juana treasured being a grandmother— there was never such a thing as telling “Gram” no. She was also an exceptional cook, and her family especially loved her homemade tamales and empanadas, which brought everyone together around the table.

Juana is survived by her children, Mary Jane Jackson, Ricky (Tonya) Zamora, Daniel Zamora, Jessica Zamora, Domingo Zamora, and Elizabeth Zamora; her grandchildren, Crysta (James) Atwood, Abagail (Slowne) Schramm, Ricky (Olivia) Zamora Jr., Brianna Zamora, Victoria Jackson, Michael Jackson, Kevin Jackson, Lindamae Jackson, Paul Bernal, Daniel Bernal, Adam Bernal and Rachel Bernal as well as many others; and her greatgrandchildren, Anya Hall, Scarlette Atwood, Zayden Atwood, Isaac Atwood, and Lyra Zamora.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Jose; her children, Hermelinda (Eraclio) Bernal, Jose Zamora Jr., and Magdalena Alcantara; and her great-grandson, Gabriel David Atwood.

Visitation will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, at the Martinson Funeral Home in Suttons Bay. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., also at the funeral home.

Please share condolences and memories with Juana’s family at www.martinson. info.

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.