Anita O'Brien

Anita (Anello) O'Brien, age 82 of Jacksonville Beach, FL, passed away on January 6, 2018 surrounded by her family. Anita was born on Oct. 23, 1935 and grew up with her large extended family in Montclair, NJ. She and her husband David O'Brien settled in Jackson, NJ to raise their two daughters, Donna and Denise. There, she volunteered as her daughters' soccer coach while working full time as a cashier at Acme Markets and later ShopRite.  She always wanted hers to be the home at which her daughters' friends would feel comfortable – and it was.

After her husband died, Anita met and married Louis Farkas, her girls' second father.  When she and Lou retired, they moved to Ponte Vedra Beach, FL to be closer to her family.  Anita was a devoted mother and wife, but the real loves of her life were her four grandchildren, who affectionately called her "Nanny": Andrew, Zachary, Katherine, and Jamie. She loved any chance to spend time with them – and brag about them! Anita was also an expert knitter and loved cooking "real" Italian food for her family and dear friends.

Anita will be missed by all who knew her, especially her daughters Donna Pisacano and her husband George; and Denise Huntze and her husband James; and her grandchildren Andrew Pisacano, Zachary Pisacano, Katherine Huntze, and Jamie Huntze. Donna and Denise would like to thank the many people in their mother's life who supported and loved her during her fight against cancer. She fought the good fight with dignity and courage – like everything she did.

A celebration of her life and internment at Ponte Vedra Valley Cemetery will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations in Anita's name to the McGraw Center Community Hospice, 4715 Worral Way, Jacksonville, FL 32224 or online at www.communityhospice.com/give.