The matriarch of a well-known business and farming family has passed away.

Juanita Lester passed away at Kenny’s Pond Retirement Centre on Tuesday. She would have been 89 on the 20 of September.

Lester was born Juanita Hobbs in Elliston and married farmer James Lester after graduating from secretarial school in St. John’s. The couple ran a dairy and mixed farm in both Newfoundland and PEI.

She was inducted into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1994. Lester was also heavily involved in the Anglican Parish of St. Mary the Virgin, the Women’s Institute in both NL and PEI, the Girl Guides and several choirs.

Resting at Barrett’s Funeral Home on Hamilton Avenue with the funeral to take place on Saturday, September 10 at 10:00 a.m. from St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church.

Donations in her memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of NL.