Anita P. Smith, 89, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011.
She was born Oct. 7, 1922, in Jeannette, Pa., to Paul Millard and Winifred Hunker Smith.
Anita grew up in Toledo, Ohio. She received a B.A. degree from DePaum University and her M.A. from Syracuse University. She earned a Ph.D. in counseling psychology at the University of Minnesota. Anita served as an educational administrator and psychology instructor at colleges in Illinois and Iowa. She spent 25 years in the Minneapolis area as a counselor, educator, and grants administrator for Kenny Rehabilitation Institute and the Metropolitan Council of the Minneapolis-St. Paul seven county area. She retired in 1983.
With her companion, Patricia Hubert, she toured our beautiful country via motorhome until 1993, while pursuing her interests in birding and American history. AS a dedicated birder, she had over 600 birds on her “life list” for the contiguous United States. During these years, she spent the winters as a commercial fisherman on the Florida Keys. She came to Port Charlotte in 1994.
Anita was an avid reader over her lifetime and filled her home with the books she loved. She was a member of the American Association of University Women, the National Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy, Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, Common Cause, Planned Parenthood, and the League of Women Voters. She served as a volunteer with the Friends of Music of Charlotte County and the Charlotte HIV/AIDS People Support.
Survivors include her sister and brother-in-law, Marian and Thomas Carter of Sarasota; nephews, Jonathan (Laura), Jeffrey (Kay), Scott (Clare) Carter; grandnieces, Jessica, Lisa, Caroline, and Kathleen Carter; grandnephews, Thomas and Daniel Carter; and her precious cat, Beau. She was preceded in death by her partner of 46 years, Patricia Will Hubert.
A memorial service will be held at a future date. Friends may visit online at www.robersonfn.com to sign the guestbook and express condolences to the family. Memorial contributions are suggested to TideWell Hospice, Inc., 1144 Veronica Street, Port Charlotte, FL 33952 or the Animal Welfare League,
3519 Drance Street, Port Charlotte, FL 33980. Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel