Juanita “Peta” Dawn Elder was called Home to Heaven on June 22nd, 2017, surrounded by her family.

Peta was born on November 18th, 1958 and lived her whole life in Fortuna. She was the baby of three children to Donald and Audrey McRoberts. She graduated Fortuna High in 1976 and went on to become one of the best hair stylists in Humboldt County. She cut the hair of generations of families and made a special connection with each person that sat in her chair. Peta married the love of her life, her soulmate, Ron Elder in the redwoods in 1979. Together they raised two daughters; Shiloh and Cheyenne Elder, and shared their home with many fur babies over the years. They loved to travel, often taking trips with the travel trailer to go agate hunting or blow glass. Her favorite place in the world was the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone, where they had their honeymoon.

 

Peta was the best mother, the most amazing wife and an incredible friend. You could hear her giggle from the other room and she never ran out of stories to tell. Her clients supported her love for rocks and would bring her back rocks from their own travels. She was a woman that loved to wear bright colors and had the spirit of a little kid, so easily entertained. Peta was a very talented artist and spent much of her free time photographing nature scenes that she would later turn into beautiful acrylic paintings. She loved all of her pets dearly, and took all the dogs to training classes, a hobby she looked forward to each year. Like her mother, Peta took pride in her garden and her home and turned it into her little sanctuary. She would even have Ron take her out into the hills to get big rocks for the pond, one of their many fun adventures together.

Peta was the kind of person that brought light and warmth into a room. She truly cared about each person that sat down in her chair. She was more than a hair stylist; she was a friend, a therapist, someone who took the time to listen to someone else and make their day better. Peta Elder was a spirit that is sorely missed and strongly felt. She left an imprint on this community and her spirit will continue to live on in those who loved her. 

Juanita Elder was preceded in death by her father, Donald William McRoberts and her mother, Audrey Lydia McRoberts. She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Ron Elder, daughters Shiloh and Cheyenne Elder, their partners, her brother Larry McRoberts as well as Bodie, BlueBelle, Jynx and Milo. Not to mention; all of her clients, friends and extended family, as well as every single stranger she ever struck up a conversation with and walked away with their life story.

A Celebration of Life has already been held; please donate to your favorite charity in her honor if you would like to extend sympathies.

TTFN, Momma. 

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The obituary above was submitted by Peta’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.