It's a shame that so many people who knew Anita were and are still unaware of her passing. Her mother once told me that the church, during her service, was so full that it was standing room only. "As many people who knew, there are just as many who still don't know," she said. But if you are one of those who read about her death in the paper, you were shocked, just like I was.

I hope you see that the way she died, does not reflect the lady she was. My friend was a beautiful person. Her family and I would like to take a moment to reflect, remember, and honor Anita for the private and public person we knew. We would like to share our memories and stories so that you might get to see Anita the way we saw her.

As for my memories of Anita, there are few, but sweet, for we were best friends in kindergarten, way back in 1983. The very last time I saw her was about 10 years ago when she lived two streets down from me. As I said before, we were best friends in kindergarten. We were two of the three quite ones in the class. I think that is what brought us together. Our simpleness and quite sense of existence definitely was the spark to our friendship. We were always together, along with the other quite one, Kia. All three of us played house together during play time and would tell crazy stories and jokes to make each other laugh until we cried. We would soon share a small crush on one of our classroom mates. After kindergarten I saw her a few times, while I was in first grade. We would sometimes get together at playtime, but would soon lose contact. Up until about 10 years ago when I took a walk to the second street over from my street. I was walking down the road and saw a friend outside who was with this one other girl. As I walked up closer, we both recognized each other. When we confirmed that we were who we thought we were, we hugged. For a few weeks we would meet up together and talk and just catch up on each others lives. Soon after, she moved and we lost contact again. Little did I know that the next time she would reenter my life was when I would find out that she was gone. I was working on two memorial ads. I looked at the picture that was used on both ads. I knew who it was just as soon as I looked at her. But I needed to know for sure. I actually went online to find anything on her. I found two articles about her death and started to cry hysterically. I couldn't believe or understand why and who would do such a thing to such a beautiful person. I was able to get her obit from the local newspaper. The next day, I called her mother to actually confirm that it was her. As soon as we figured out the facts and it was pointed out that she was definitely my friend, I broke down into tears and soon I was joined by her mother as we shared this moment together. She apologized for being the source of such bad news. We wanted others to get to know Anita for the person she was and now...here we are. Sharing our memories with the world.

This is Anita's Life.

Here are two photos of Anita as a baby. The one on the right is one of Anita's moms favrite photos of her late daughter.

Barbara, Anita's mom, once told about a time when Anita used to sit in this baby seat that she would kick her legs so much that she actaully rocked the seat right onto the floor. Anita was always full of energy.

"She looks sad," Barbara said. "This was taken after I had been in car accident. I was in the hospital and almost died. There was only one time that she cried and asked "when is mommy coming home?""

Here is Anita in her grandmothers glasses. "She just had to wear grandmom's glasses." her gramdmom told me.

This picture is of Anita with her Great-Grandmother. "Not many people got to spend time with their great-grandparents. She was lucky." her mom said.

"They were like two peas in a pod, those two." said Barbara, speaking of her father and Anita. "They just were so crazy about each other. Anita had such a hard time when my father passed away. She told every one that she was going to buried next to him. We just didn't realize it would be so soon.

Here is Anita "on the run" as her grandmother called it. "She was always running around and always a step ahead" I remember those days. Anita and I running around on the playground at school. Playing tag or climbing onto the jungle gym. We had a blast with each other. I often think of those days. I started to think of those days and Anita more often shortly before I found out she was gone. Maybe she was trying to get my attention to make sure I found out. Anita always had her ways of doing things.

Here is Anita skating for the Senior Skating Division for Deptford. Anita was five. Anita had many talents. Her mother once told me that Antia could not only skate, but also do great hair styling, nail design, and also graphic design. In fact, Anita was supposed to start graphic design class this coming January.

Anita smiling pretty for the camera. It didn't take much for that side of Anita to show. She was always such a beautiful person.

Here is Anita playing a joke with her mom. "Anita was always teasing and joking around." she told me. "I never had any problems with 'Nita."

Here is Anita in a school photo.

Here is Anita on vacation with her mom. "I'm so glad we took those vacations. We were able to spend so much time together." Barbara told me.

And here is another example of how much a beautiful person Anita was.