Anita Jane (Mattingly) Bane

Anita Jane Mattingly Bane, formerly of Fairfax, Virginia passed away peacefully in Herndon on April 24, 2022, with family by her side, just two weeks before her 93rd birthday. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, Oma, and friend to many.

The loving daughter of the late Joseph Everette Mattingly and Ethel Ryan Mattingly, Anita was born in Oxon Hill, Maryland on May 8, 1929, into two old Maryland families (the Mattingly family settled in St. Mary’s County, Maryland in the 17th century). As a child she enjoyed arts and crafts, water-skiing, volleyball, and summers at her Aunt Hetty’s beach house on the Potomac River. Anita graduated from St. Cecelia’s Academy and attended Dunbarton College, both in Washington, D.C.

While working at the FBI, Anita met Howard Thomas Bane of Washington, D.C. at a University of Virginia football game on a blind date. They fell in love and married April 18th 1953, at St. Ignatius Church in Oxon Hill.

Their son Philip was born the following year in Washington D.C. Soon thereafter, with Anita’s support, Howard embarked on his CIA career. Indeed, Anita proved to be a superb partner to her husband as they traveled the world in diplomatic circles. They raised their five children in several international posts (Thailand, India, Ghana, Kenya, and The Netherlands) and their lives were filled with many great friends and adventures.

Their first post was Bangkok where their son Christopher was born. A return to Washington included the arrival of their daughter Janita. In New Delhi they welcomed their daughter Bethany. It was while living here that Anita decided iridescent peacock blue suited her very well and it became her signature color. At last, while stationed in Accra, their son Peter joined the family.

Later, while living in Nairobi, the family spent several summer holidays in Mombasa where Anita, as her children fondly recall, taught them to water-ski. Often on her own with the children as her husband was traveling, Anita made summers at the beach such a success that they are among the family’s best memories.

Anita was vivacious and curious. She embraced each station with enthusiasm and learned as much as she could about her new surroundings. Sacred sites to offer prayers, light candles, and make temple rubbings were always a part of Anita’s travels. Her last international trip was to The Netherlands with her granddaughters which included a trip to The Hague to see the family’s residence from years before.

Wherever she was, Anita was the consummate hostess entertaining family, friends, colleagues, and dignitaries. Her creative letter-writing to loved ones was filled with vivid accounts of daily life, special occasions, travels, and more. Her many interests included reading, rose gardening, decorating, cooking (especially Indian cuisine), and going to the theater. She also greatly enjoyed her Fairfax quilting group of friends and called it her therapy.

Anita was thoughtful in her gift-giving and generous with her time and talents. She was a keen observer of design and a master of the color wheel in all her artistic endeavors, from crafting seasonal items to sketching and painting. An accomplished watercolorist, Anita received commissions to paint murals for various organizations including Fairfax County Library, Fort Myer in Arlington (now Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall), and a Floridian resort. Even in the last of her days Anita instinctively and skillfully took to her sketch pad as her comfort.

Above all, Anita was a devout Roman Catholic her entire life, praying the rosary and attending Mass regularly. She made pilgrimages to many places, including Fatima, the Holy Land, Lourdes, and Medjugorje.

In addition to her devoted parents, Anita was preceded in death by her beloved husband Howard; her two loving brothers, Joseph Everette Mattingly Jr. and George Michael Mattingly; her cherished grandson Patrick Ryan Purcell; and her dear Aunt Hester Ryan Harper Essex (Hetty).

Anita is survived by her five loving children, Philip (Mary Ellen) Bane, Christopher (Patricia Quarti) Bane, Janita (Patrick) Purcell, Bethany (Paul) Siegrist, and Peter (Jan) Bane; seven cherished grandchildren, Ashley (Nick) Shimer, Evan (ZsaZsa) Siegrist, Sean (Kirstin) Purcell, Lee Siegrist, Alyssa (Shawn) Owens, Ryan (Kayla) Bane and Joshua (Kayla) Bane; ten darling great-grandchildren, Owen, Samantha, Michael, Charlotte, Heidi, Laken, Baylor, Hudson, James Ryan, and Harlow; loving sister Kathryn Dabler; dearest sister-in-law Sandra Mattingly; and many other relatives.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Wednesday, May 4th 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John Neumann Church, 11900 Lawyers Road, Reston, Virginia. Family and friends will be received at St. John Neumann prior to the service from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

There will be a graveside service from 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Fairfax City Cemetery,

10567 Main Street (at Main Street and Page Avenue), Fairfax, Virginia 22030.

The family is grateful for the care given to Anita by her VITAS Healthcare team.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to VITAS Healthcare,

3251 Old Lee Highway, Suite 200, Fairfax, Virginia 22030.

https://www.vitas.com/