Date set for Nita Rothschild memorial

A memorial service for Juanita "Nita" Gullahorn Rothschild will be held on Saturday, Oct. 21, at 1 p.m. in the Remembrance Room at the Fernwood Funeral Home at 301 Tennessee Valley Rd

in Mill Valley.

A detailed obituary posted by her family in the Press-Democrat earlier this week provided the following information.

Nita Rothschild was the only child of Howell and Willye Gullahorn. She was born in Sandy Springs, Georgia on November 20, 1950. Nita' parents married late in life and weren't sure having a child would be possible, Nita was their "miracle child."

She graduated from Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia, in 1971, where she majored in math. She worked for the American Automobile Association in San Francisco for most of her professional life and when she retired was the only woman to achieve the distinction of membership on the IT Executive Team.

“She was an important mentor and role model for many women in her field,” the obituary reads.

Following retirement, Nita moved to Truckee and then to Reno. Later, she moved to Washington state, living in Marysville and Edmonds before returning to California to live in Sonoma.

According to the obituary, Nita enjoyed travel, fitness, ballroom dancing, gourmet food and fine wine in her spare time. She loved teaching dance to children and volunteering in animal shelters.

“Nita cultivated new friendships throughout her life while maintaining family relationships and keeping in touch with old friends,” it reads. “One of her strongest qualities was an ability to unify people and mend fences.

Nita is survived by two step-sons, Seth and Marc Rothschild, cousins Gordon Gullahorn, Leslie Gullahorn Olson, Laurie Gullahorn Thibodeau, Brandon Smithe and Kathy Gullahorn.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations may be made to the Family Justice Center of Sonoma County, to Pet's Lifeline of Sonoma County or to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.