Obituary of Leonita Anita Dadone

Leonita Anita Dadone passed from this life on Sunday, April 22, 2012. Anita died as a result of acute respiratory failure after struggling years with COPD and congestive heart failure. Anita was 93 years old and her body could no longer sustain her breath. Anita's life, lived within the boundaries of Santa Cruz County and the years between 1918 and 2012, was rich in relationships and in a sense of place. Every street, every store, and every fruit stand had a history that she shared, and in so doing she enriched our lives with her love for this area, her home, her family and her friends.. Anita (sometimes 'Nita) was born on August 15, 1918 to John and Peurina Fassio of Soquel, the youngest of their three children. Anita was preceded in death by both parents, by her sister Margaret DeRose of Watsonville, and by her brother Louis Fassio of Soquel. Anita attended elementary school at Soquel Elementary and high school at Santa Cruz High. Like many youngsters of her time, she left school before graduation to enter the work force. She shared many stories of what it was like to grow up in Santa Cruz and Soquel at that time, including her days working on the family orchard, and the packing lines at the local produce and mushroom companies. Anita met her husband Maurice in 1941 and they married in December of that year. "Morrie and Nita" as they were known as to their friends, were married for nearly 65 years, until Maurice's death in 2006 from pancreatic cancer. In their early years, they would find themselves with Morrie away from home working on construction jobs and Nita home working and taking care of the family. After their retirements, it was not unusual for each of them to have their own hobbies and interests, but at the end of the day, they came back together and they were never apart. Their golden years were spent together traveling in their motorhome and spending time with family and friends. Anita and Maurice's first child and only son, Michael, was born in 1943 and died at the age of 18 months. Their second child, Mary, was born in 1948, followed by Theresa in 1954 and Patricia in 1957. Anita would later speak of those early years with the children as the best time of her life. She enjoyed having been a mother, and she defined herself that way. As the children entered school, she returned to work outside the home, including many years working at Louise's Flower Shop on Soquel Avenue, where she was able to nurture her love of flowers, meet new friends and later became a member of the Santa Cruz Business and Professional Woman's Club. With the building of the "new" Albertson's grocery store located between River and Front Street, Anita soon found herself working in the bakery department, as a sales associate. Soon after Anita started working in the bakery, it became obvious that her love of people and her love for baking were a natural fit for both the store and her and she quickly found herself the head sales person for the bakery where she stayed until her retirement. After her retirement in the mid 1970's, Anita was able to spend more time on her passions such as cooking and crafts, which she loved and at which she was skilled. For the rest of her life, family and friends were showered with first ceramics and then with fabric paintings. Anita made friends wherever she went and shared with great joy stories of her many new friends from ceramics classes, the hairdresser's, her and Maurice's affiliation with the Santa Cruz Rod and Gun Club, and from their many trips in their motor home. These were easier years for Anita, and she remembered them as good times. In 2003, as her body began to weaken, the first of several caregivers began coming to the house to help with day to day duties and functions. Immediately Anita's heart expanded to include these new members of the family. From 2006 to the time of her death, she had the near-constant support and love of a small group of wonderful ladies. With the addition of these individuals, the pattern of relationship that defined her life continued. For those of us left behind we are grieving her passing together, and we are supporting each other in it. Anita is survived by her daughters and son-in-laws Mary Dadone of Maryland, Theresa Dadone and Greg Carlsted of San Jose, Patricia Dadone and Phil Camacho Jr. of Santa Cruz, five step grandchildren, four nieces and two nephews, her cousin Lena Mungi of Santa Cruz, her cousin Elmo Capra of Lafayette and her beloved miniature dachshunds and constant companions Missy and Maxie. Our family is grateful to you, her friends, who enriched her life through your many visits with her at home once her mobility became difficult. Also, a very special thank you to Anita's caregivers Shari and Kathie for their daily caring, love and dedication to Anita, and to Dr. Grace Laurencin and her staff, for making her final months and days comfortable, happy and peaceful. Anita will be missed by all, but she leaves behind a legacy of love and knowing the value of family and friends. No formal funeral services are scheduled at this time. However, "A Celebration of Life" will be held for Anita on August 11th in Santa Cruz. Details will be forthcoming at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Anita's name to St. Jude's Children's Hospital (www.stjude.org/).