Anna Vivien Maris

Anna Vivien Maris 19 Nov. 1928 - 2 Sept. 2010 Resident of Fremont Anna V. "Kitty" Maris passed away unexpectedly at her home in Fremont, Thursday morning, September 2, 2010. Anna was born Vivian Hawley Mertz on November 19, 1928, in the Chelsea District of London, England, to Vieth Theodore Mertz and Vergne Davis Mertz, who pre-deceased her. She grew up in the Chicago suburbs and graduated from Highland Park High School before leaving for Stanford University in California. She survived polio as a child, but suffered the lingering effects of the disease without complaint. She attended Stanford for two years before leaving to marry Robert Pitsker. The couple moved to the Carmel-Monterey area several years later, then lived briefly in Orinda before relocating to Conifer, Colorado for 4 years. Vivian and Bob returned to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1966. Afterwards Vivian decided she needed a new start, so she changed her name to Anna Maris and, with her children fully grown, entered the workforce at age 44. She worked for a time as a social worker, but her real calling was the world of antiques, where she became an expert at glassware and jewelry. She made her final residence in Niles in 1975. Anna had numerous interests: she was a lifelong student of Slavic languages, literature and culture. She was a devotee of Romantic-era classical music. She was passionate about gardening. She read incessantly. Most of all, she loved cats; she adopted strays and filled her home with cat-themed knick-knacks. Anna will be missed by her children Bo Pitsker (Vera Kopilenko) of San Francisco; Timothy John Pitsker of Fremont; Benjamin Andrew Pitsker of Littleton, CO; and Sandra Janine Brown (Chris) of Riddle, OR; as well as her grandchildren Nimrod Pitsker Elias (Aliza) of Berkeley, CA; Noam Pitsker, Audrey Davis (Robert) of Hillsboro, OR; Luke Pitsker of Bailey, CO; and Michael Pitsker of Evergreen, CO; and great granddaughter Nava Tamar Elias of Berkeley. Arrangements were made by Fremont Chapel of the Roses, 1940 Peralta Blvd., Fremont, CA 94536. Services will be held Friday, September 10, 12:30 PM at St. Christina Orthodox Church, 3721 Parish Ave, Fremont, 94536, 510-739-0908. Internment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 26320 Mission Blvd., Hayward, 94544, in the section designated "Our Lady of Grace," immediately following the service. Donations in Anna's memory may be made to: Ohlone Humane Society, 9120 Argonaut Way, #108, Fremont, 94538. Fremont Chapel of the Roses 510-797-1900