Juliana R. Miranda

Jay crossed over peacefully on March 7* surrounded by her family. She was born in Basin Wy on February 17th, 1935, to Lalo and Victoria Martinez. Victoria and the children moved to Fort Collins at an early age. She attended Reminton Elementary, Lincoln Junior High,
Graduated from Fort Collins High School. She married Valerio "Ernie" Miranda on January 12th, 1957. They had seven children. She was a housewife until the youngest started school. Jay had a couple of odd jobs until she went to work for the Poudre School District in Fort Collins. She taught Headstart/early childhood for more than three decades. She mostly worked with the Spanish speaking kids. She loved her job immensely. She always enjoyed seeing her students she taught in their adult life. Sometimes having their children in school.

Jay enjoyed Mexican music and loved to dance to it. She also enjoyed having lunch with the seniors at North Side Atzlan Center until the pandemic hit. She enjoyed having her grandchildren and great-great grandchildren visit and always made sure they enjoyed all the holidays.

She also enjoyed watching pro sports on TV, her favorite teams were the Dallas Cowboys, Golden State Warriors, and the Colorado Rockies.

Jay is survived by her children Maxine Miranda, Nancy Romero, Valerie Castillon (Elias jr.) Laura Salas, Jeff Miranda (David Wilkins), and Carolina Gonzales (Tomas), 14 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, and 23 great-great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Valerio "Ernie" Miranda, son Ernest Jay, parents Lalo and Victoria Martinez, brothers George, Herman "Chinky" and Robert Martinez, sister Nancy Mosqueda, sons-in-law Andrew Belen, Wally Romero, and Tony Salas; great grandsons Adrian Castillon, and Andre Salas. Jay was a deeply respected figure in the Fort Collins community, often remembered for her kindness and commitment to the students. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Visitation will be held 4-6pm with the rosary to follow at 6pm on Wednesday March 18, 2026 at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. The funeral mass will be held at 10am on Thursday, March 19, 2026 at Holy Family Catholic Church.