Waneta E. Araneo

Waneta Esch Araneo, 87, passed away after a brief illness on November 26, 2021. She was born January 11, 1934, to Hugo and Phyllis Riley Esch in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Waneta was a graduate of Lawrence College in Appleton, Wisconsin, in 1956 with a BA in Education. While there she become a member of the Delta Gamma sorority where she made many lifelong friends. After graduation, she had a successful career in elementary education in Lake Forest, Illinois, Germany and Jacksonville, Florida.

In 1963 she married the love of her life Peter J. “Jack” Araneo.

After her teaching career, she became the administrative assistant to her husband when he opened his architectural firm.

Waneta was very active within her community and served on various committees and boards in the Town of Orange Park. She was also an active member of the Society of Mixed Media Artists, the Orange Park Art Guild and until her health declined, a member of St. Peters Episcopal Church. She also served a period of time with the Rolling Hills Women’s Club.

Waneta was predeceased by her parents and his sister, Julie Esch Hurvis. She is survived by her husband and daughter, Julianne Ruth Araneo; her sister-in-law, Nora Rucker of Bedford, Virginia; her brother-in-law, Thomas J. Hurvis of Glenview, Illinois; her nieces and nephew, Tracey Rosser, Stephen Thompson, Sara Yonkin and Christy Hurvis.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL, 32073, (904) 264-1233.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Peter's Episcopal Church or the Clay County Library at Orange Park.

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