We first met Anita in December 1976 . We were the new neighbors moving in across the street in Bryan. It was the same day as Annette’s funeral. I was a novice mother of an 18 month old daughter, and my parents were 5000 miles away. Anita very soon became my substitute mother and she a substitute grandmother for (eventually) our 3 daughters. She and Alvin were there for us at births, graduations, weddings, and even when our old yellow pinto turned over to 100000 miles.
We will hold dear forever the wit and wisdom , the love and the abundant plain common sense that Anita could be depended upon to dispense. She had an amazing knack for soothing colicky infants, for harvesting and canning bushels of beans, for hosting huge neighborhood fish fries, for making intricate quilts to give away, for keeping confidences, for giving thoughtful advice when asked, and in spite of her personal losses, for accepting whatever life threw at her. My kids loved listening to her stories of growing up on the farm, and of her romance with Alvin who left immediately after the wedding for the war. Also, there was nothing to beat an Anita hug. We are so privileged to have had her in our lives and she will always be a part of our family.

I have always considered Anita part of the family. She celebrated birthdays and other special occasions with our family and would come to my school for Grandparents’ Day. I remember running through her garden as a child, and can still hear the clock ticking in the background of her living room while listening to her stories. The last time I saw her, she was pushing my gleeful children around Rosewood on her walker. Her home and arms were always open for a visit, her calm mother instinct and sturdy pat could put any baby to sleep and in times of question, she always gave intuitive and straightforward advice. Her strong spirit will continue to inspire me and my family and she will be dearly missed.