Anita M. Brabant

Struthers - Anita M. Brabant, 90, passed away peacefully with her family at her side, Friday morning, October 25, 2024, at her residence.  

 Anita was born on her mother's family farm in Petersburg, Oct.9, 1934, the oldest daughter of Bertram and Mabel (Burkey) Proverbs. 

She attended one school, Chaney, grades one through twelve, graduating in 1952. In 1971, she earned her degree from YSU in Business Administration, eventually becoming a CPA.  Her employment history varied prior to completion of college. Professionally she was employed by Hill, Barth & King CPAs for 16 years before assuming the position of controller for an affiliated group of corporations including Boardman Medical Supply. She worked there until retirement.   

Anita really thrived on volunteering. When the Struthers Federal Credit Union was in its infancy, her husband, Bob, was elected treasurer and she did all the record keeping for over ten years. She sang in church choirs most of her adult life and served in other capacities including Elder and Deacon for her church. Before Struthers Pres­byterian Church withdrew from Presbyterian Church USA, Anita served as treasurer for Eastminster Presbyterian Women. An animal lover, she did medical data entry for a time at Angels for Animals.   Former Struthers Mayor Daniel Mamula appointed Anita to the Struthers Civil Service Commission where she served for many years. She was privileged to transport an el­derly lady for about four years. This labor of love re­sulted in Governor Ted Strickland presenting Anita a Senior Care Award in 2009. She was a volunteer tax preparer 18 years for AARP and/or Vita.   

Anita was unique in having enjoyed three happy marriages. She married Robert Burch when she was 18, he only 21. He entered the military and their separation provided an op­portunity to dream and plan their future together by wri­ting letters daily. When Bob returned from his tour in Korea, they had an extended honeymoon in San Antonio.   There was little money, but a rich spiritual and social life was provided by the church they attended. After Bob's discharge from the Air Force, they returned to Ohio. God blessed them with two children, Jeff and Bonnie, and they became the happy family they had dreamed. Bob retired in June of 1990 after teaching 30 years at Struthers High School. He died of a heart attack January 1991.   

Anita married Charles Chambers in 1995. They had attended high school together and became reacquainted at a class reunion. Responsibilities of youth were past and finances adequate. Anita was exposed to another way of life with Chuck. He was a camper and a Civil War buff. He shot live ammunition (bullets he molded in the basement) competitively, using Civil War era weapons. Chuck died of cancer in 2004.   

Lawrence Brabant and Anita met at church where they served together as deacons. He was recently divorced when he volunteered to accompany her to Columbus to re­ceive her award from Gov. Strickland. The rest is history. They married in 2010. Larry was her athlete, ever the sports fan. He took her to football and basketball games she introduced him to on stage plays and concerts and travel. They laughed more in a day than most people do in a month.   

The Lord blessed Anita with three very special companions to share her life. She was also blessed with the capacity to appreciate and enjoy her world. She enjoyed baking - Chuck and Larry both proposed after sampling her strawberry pie. Though too frugal to gamble, she enjoyed playing games, particularly those that required some mental exercise. Her grandmother taught her to embroider when she was a child. In 1998 she won best in the show at the Canfield Fair for her counted cross stitch made with the hoop her grandmother had given her.   

Anita was quite the traveler, having visited four other continents, 43 other countries and having toured all 50 states; the sights seen and the wonderful experiences of those travels! She rode a camel in Egypt and a horse on an Argentine ranch. She kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland and parasailed in Acapulco. She walked a glacier in Juneau, climbed an Alp in Switzerland, and the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland. She rode a rickshaw in Hong Kong and a bullet train in Japan. Anita trod the ruins of Pompeii and Ephesus. She watched sloths in Cos­ta Rica and people dancing the tango in Buenos Aires. Anita viewed the Sphinx and the pyramids overlooking Cairo, the Rosetta Stone in London, Venus de Milo and Mona Lisa in Paris, the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg.   

Anita had a wonderful life! Joys far exceeded the sorrows because of all the love in her life. She is survived by her husband, Lawrence Brabant of Struthers; son, Jeffrey Burch of Youngstown; daughter, Bonita (Dennis) Reardon of Woodstock, GA. Also surviving are her precious grandchildren, Shelley (Ryan) Laminack of Canton, GA, Tina (AJ) Barajas of Canton, GA, Joseph (Kathleen) Reardon of Raleigh, NC, Erin Reardon of Decatur, GA; and her great-grandsons, Harrison, Theo, and Mason. Anita also leaves her sister, Yolanda Hardy of Boardman, as well as a niece and two nephews.  

Friends will be received today, Monday, October 28, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at the Davidson-Becker Funeral Home in Struthers. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m.  

Contributions may be made to the Parkside Church, 110 Poland Ave., Struthers, OH 44471 or to Akeso Home Hospice, 6600 Summitt Drive, Canfield OH 44406.