Anita Cecelia Grussing

Anita Cecelia Grussing, 95, passed away on Friday, May 12th, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona. She was born on June 12th, 1927, to the late Edmund and Cecelia (Sobanski) Frelka in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On January 29th,1949 she married Jack Leonard Grussing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Grussings moved as a family to Phoenix, Arizona in 1972. Anita worked as a private secretary to the superintendent of Phoenix Elementary School District Number 1. Upon retirement, she volunteered at Banner Thunderbird Hospital.

She enjoyed sewing, knitting, and gardening. She was not a bad card player, including poker, cribbage, and sheepshead (Wisconsin’s unofficial state card game). She travelled around the United States and abroad. More than any of these things, she truly enjoyed people.

Anita is survived by her four daughters: Debra Orlando (David Zimlin), Suzanne Kindland (James Kingwell), Jacqueline Ball (Bruce Ball), and Joan Grussing (Frank Bornstein); four grandchildren: Angela Orlando (David Greenwood), Lisa Williams (Mark Rowlands), Marissa Lawton (Josh), and Kyle Ball (Jess); and two great granddaughters: Sawyer Lawton and Logan Lawton; and a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Jack Grussing.

Debby: My fondest memories of Mom revolve around the fun things we did together. Going to the Carefree art show, taking the light rail to the Phoenix Art Museum, taking her to Georgia to meet her great grandchild. I will miss her terribly.

Sue: My Mom can be summed up in one word: Grace. From the way she handled herself, her family, and her home, to the way she always looked her best, and to the way she accepted the vicissitudes of living and aging, she was and is my inspiration. I am honored to be her daughter.

Jim: Anita as a mother was the graceful core of the family. I saw her everyday service to each family member. We would do well to emulate her.

Jackie: One of my many fond memories of Mom was when Bruce, Kyle and I would visit from Ohio. We would always play cribbage. She would always have to refresh our memories about the rules. It was always the Chumps vs. the Champs: Mom and me, against Dad and Bruce or Kyle. We had the best time!

Bruce: The memories I take with me are how Anita made me feel when we came to visit. She took the time to learn what I liked, and she always had the right food in the fridge, or the right dinner planned. She was selfless when around others. However, she loved beating Jack and me in whatever game we played after dinner. I enjoyed seeing a little glimpse of that side of her when she’d show it.

Joan: I remember Mom being a people-person. Family was paramount to her, both her family of origin, extended family, and her own family. Friends were important to her, too. And her home was an extension of the pride she took in herself.

Angie: Gram did her crosswords with a pen. She kept crisp white wine nearby, Häagen-Dazs in the freezer, and Ralph Lauren in the closet. One thing she could never do, though, was carve a turkey. She saved that for Grandpa forever and always.

Lisa: What I remember about Grandma is her infectious laugh, always having Pepperidge Farm cookies on hand, and never judging me for wanting to stay in the pool just a little bit longer. She had the softest hands I have ever held. She was a beautiful matriarch.

Rissa: My Grandma was the epitome of poise and class. She was my role model for intentional living. And it was always a pleasant surprise to see her let her deliberateness crack a bit, let loose, and have fun. She gifted me with so much wisdom and I am proud and honored to pass it on to my daughters.

Kyle: My Grandmother Anita was one of the sweetest and kindest women I have ever known. I have fond memories of playing Cribbage and Gin Rummy with her and the family, having towels ready whenever I chose to jump into the pool (regardless of temperature), and seeing how kind and caring she was in raising my Mother and three Aunts. Family was always most important to her, and you could always see that with how she lit up whenever I and the rest of our family were able to see her. She truly felt pride and joy in being the matriarch of our family.

Graveside services will be held at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024. The date has not been set, but it will be in the fall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider volunteering or contributing at Banner Thunderbird Hospital, or the medical facility of your choice.

Online condolences can be given at www.chapelofthechimesmortuary.com.