Anita Louise Bianchini's Obituary
Anita Bianchini, 94, of Spotsylvania County, passed away Sunday, April 23, 2017 at Greenfield Assisted Living of Spotsylvania.
She was the youngest of seven children, and was born in the Flatbush Avenue section of Brooklyn, N.Y.C., in 1923. Her father, Rocco Varone, immigrated to the U.S.A. in 1893 and five years later became a citizen. He then returned to Italy, married Concetta Morra, and brought her with him to the U.S.A. in 1898. Both came from the town of Polistena, Calabria, located about 50 miles north of Reggio Calabria. Anita’s father owned several barber shops in Brooklyn and her mother was a dressmaker and dress designer.
In 1938 Anita was employed by the National Youth Administration at a Jewish Settlement House where she cared for children, and in 1940 became a “Rosie the Riveter” at a Defense plant. From 1943 to 1945 she was employed by Ideal Toy Company.
In 1945 she and Joe Bianchini were married in a church ceremony in Brooklyn while he was on furlough from the U.S. Army. They had been dating for three years.
Anita was a housewife until their four daughters were all in school, then took a part-time job with Lerner Dress Shops at Prince George’s Plaza.
She retired in 1980 and belonged to the same clubs attended by Joe, St. James and St. Marks Senior Citizens Clubs. Additionally, she was an active member of the Ladies Society at St. James Catholic Church. She spent much time arranging one-day, overnight, and five-day bus trips for senior citizens, with profits donated to St. James Catholic Church.
Anita is survived by her daughters, Frances Barker and her husband, Richard of Spotsylvania County; Sally Taylor and her husband, Dana of New York, Concetta Bianchini, and Maria Bianchini and her husband, Terry Hopkins, all of Maryland; a special nephew, who was much more like a brother, Vincent Racabaldo; niece, Andrea Basile; eight grandchildren, Walter Kindergan, Jeannine Wilner, Michael Bianchini, who was raised by Anita and Joseph, Curtis and Hansel Taylor, Dominic and John Crofoot, and Jessica Barker; 19 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of other family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; a brother, and six sisters.
Anita’s family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel, 10719 Courthouse Road, Fredericksburg. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 28, 2017 in the funeral chapel. Interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. in Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton, MD.
Donations may be made in memory of Anita to Prader-Willi Research at https://onesmallstep.fpwr.org/dw/users/inmemoryofanitabianchini/Waldorf2017.
Condolences to her family may be shared online at foundandsons.com.
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