Anita J. Thomas

Anita Jane Thomas (Cook) passed peacefully from this world to the next after a 98-year life well lived in caring service to others.

Anita resided her entire life in Lawrence Township, Van Buren County, Mich. She was born on Dec. 29, 1927, to Myron Howard Cook and Cleo Lucille Cook (Jacobs). She attended Lanphear (Lamphere) Country School and Lawrence High School, where she was a stellar student.

On Sept. 30, 1944, she married Leland Earl Thomas, beginning a 60-year journey that included raising three children on their family farm. Over their six decades together, Leland and Anita worked hard. However, they also enjoyed pleasures that included riding their saddle horses and hosting family sleigh rides and hayrides with their team of Percherons.

Anita loved gardening and bird watching. Leland made sure the bird feeders were well placed for her viewing and that the garden was tilled for optimal planting. She liked walking in the woods and hunting for morel mushrooms. Over the years, they enjoyed the companionship of numerous cats and dogs of various breeds. Family gatherings that included wonderful food and fellowship were common in the local extended family. These gatherings often happened at Anita and Leland's table. Especially in their retirement years, it was not unusual for them to take a late-September color tour through northern lower Michigan, across the Mackinac Bridge, and into the Upper Peninsula to celebrate their many years together. A highlight of their later years was a family celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary.

In addition to traditional wife-and-mother activities, Anita also participated in farm life, helping with haying, maple syrup production, and picking and packing fruits and vegetables for the fresh market. Over the years, she worked off the farm at the Paw Paw Shopping Center, where she enjoyed helping customers and making many friends in the community.

A Mayflower descendant and a Daughter of the American Revolution, Anita loved to share photographs and stories about her many generations of ancestors in Van Buren County.

She was involved in her local community. For most of her adult life, she was a stalwart member of the Oh So E. Z. Club, a local group of women, friends, family, and neighbors who met monthly. An accomplished pianist, Anita played for services at the Lawrence Baptist Church. In later years, she volunteered on the Van Buren County Senior Service Board, the Van Buren District Library, and the Van Buren Historical Society Museum.

Anita was preceded in death by her parents; her four siblings: Bernice Cook Tarantino and spouse Paul Tarantino, John Cook, and Robert Cook and a granddaughter, Debra Hanson.

Her three children survive her: Sandra (Don) Hanson of Decatur, Stanton (Christine) Thomas of Plover, Wisconsin, and Steven (Bonny) Thomas of Siren, Wisconsin.

Anita was especially close to her grandchildren: Scott (Elizabeth) Blakely of New Castle, Pennsylvania, Douglas (Janice) Hanson of Decatur and Shannon (Daniel) Honl of Arlington, Virginia, and to her great-grandchildren: Alexandra (Ryan) Vecella and Caelen Blakely. She treasured the many visits, kindnesses, and family celebrations they shared.

She is also survived by grandchildren: Denise (Brian) Jannopolous and Deidre Hanson; her great-grandchildren: Del (Jacqui) Jolly, Beck Jolly (Gage Vandermeer), Heather Jannopolous, Randy Jannopolous, and Timmy Skates; and her great-great-grandchildren: Ayla, West, Mavis, and Frances.

In addition, there are many dear nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends whose love and attention she valued greatly. Of special note was her affection for her caregivers Judy, Sarha, Joyce, Teresa, Breanna, Lisa, Sandy, and Carmela, as well as Centrica Care Navigators Hospice (formerly Hospice of Southwest Michigan).

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests memorial contributions in Anita's name to the Lawrence High School Alumni Association (mailed to PO Box 475, Lawrence, MI 49064); the Van Buren County Historical Society (online or by calling 269-500-1450); or Centrica Care Navigators Hospice (online or mailed to 7100 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009).

A memorial service and celebration of Anita's life is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, at the Decatur VFW located at 560 N. Phelps St, Decatur. In the meantime, family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences via the funeral home's online guestbook: http://www.calvin-leonardfh.com/obituaries/anita-thomas.