Juanita Briggs

BRIGGS, JUANITA M.

Age 92, died April 21, 2025 peacefully at Beehive Homes in Albuquerque, New Mexico with loved ones by her side. She was born May 28, 1932 in Denver, Colorado. Juanita is survived by her two daughters, Colleen Leseberg and husband Dewey Leseberg, and Sharon Esquibel and husband Joe Esquibel; five grandchildren, Kenny Leseberg and wife Alexandra (Alex) from Salem, Oregon, Daniel Leseberg and wife Caitlin Leseberg, Christopher Esquibel and wife Anna Esquibel, Marc Esquibel and wife Melanie (Mel) Esquibel, and Kelly Esquibel, all from the Albuquerque area. Juanita was great-grandmother to eleven great-grandchildren: Connor, Noah, David, Josephine (Jojo), Nethaniel, Christopher, Samuel, Logan, Layne, Theodore (Theo), and Madison (Madie). She is also survived by nieces and nephews. Mrs. Briggs was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Allan Dale (known as Dale) and her older sister, Shirley Wertman and her husband Roy. All the relatives in her generation have passed on. Juanita and Shirley grew up in Denver, Colorado. Juanita attended North High School. She loved music and was a violinist at her high school's orchestra, and she played the piano and organ. She met Dale at Shirley and Roy's wedding rehearsal where she was the maid of honor and Dale was the best man. They happened to see each other a few years later and started dating. Juanita and Dale were married July 30, 1955. Juanita, Dale, Colleen, and Sharon moved from Colorado to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1967 for Dale's work with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Besides working for the BIA, Dale would build spec homes on weekends and evenings and Juanita enjoyed helping him. She especially enjoyed working with the concrete as it was poured and putting on shingles. She also chose the flooring, paint colors, lighting fixtures, etc. as she was good at interior decorating. Juanita and Dale built the family-home Colleen and Sharon grew up in and the home they built in their later years. Juanita and Dale loved sitting on their back porch looking at the beautiful Sandia Mountains. Juanita and Dale owned a Model A, and they belonged to the model A club, Poco Quatros.

A date and time have yet to be set for Juanita's Celebration of Life service that will be at French's-Wyoming. The date will be disclosed at a later time. There has already been an outpouring of love and support. Our immediate family has been blessed by so many wonderful family and friends.