JUANITA MAVIS (PEERS) BENWAY, 92, of Stark, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, February 1, 2026, with her loving family by her side.

Juanita was born on January 6, 1934, in Limestone, Maine, the daughter of the late James Edmond Peers and Dorothy Margaret (Cooke) Wheeler.

Juanita was raised in Groveton and graduated from Groveton High School in 1952. Juanita and the love of her life for 70 years, Frederick Benway, moved to Stark in 1960, where she resided until her passing.

In her younger years, Juanita worked for Hitchner Shoe Company as a home-lacer and then at Ames Department Store in the jewelry department.

Starting out teaching and playing piano for Sunday School classes, Juanita then became the pianist for Stark United Methodist Church for 65 years. She was also a longtime member of the church and, in recent years, was the treasurer. She was an active member of the Pilot Grange. Juanita’s favorite hobby was crocheting. If you received one of her afghans, you knew you were loved. If she wasn’t crocheting, she loved reading or doing crossword puzzles – in ink!

Juanita is survived by her four children Debra Dockum (partner Larry Frizzell) of Dover, Frederick “Butch” Benway and wife Donna of Old Orchard, ME, Bonnie Niles and husband Richard of Stark, and Lisa J. Colby and husband Keith of Lunenburg, VT, ten grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, one brother Wayne Wheeler of Concord, and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by one brother, James Reginald Peers, and her sister, Joyce Marilyn Mason.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 1:00 pm in the Stark United Methodist Church, with Sharon Frizzell officiating. Burial will be on June 13, 2026, at 1:00 pm in the Emerson Road Cemetery in Stark. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Armstrong-Charron Funeral Home in Groveton.

Memorial donations may be made in Juanita's name to the Stark United Methodist Church; c/o Betty Klinder; 35 Thompson Road, Stark, NH 03582.

For directions to the services or to send the family your condolences via the online guest book, please visit www.armstrongcharronfuneralhome.com