Anita Joyce McNutt

Anita Joyce McNutt, 56, of Indianapolis, passed away August 5, 2008. Anita was welcomed into the world on August 18, 1951 in Scottsville, KY by her loving parents Hoy and Elizabeth Taylor and older brother Gerald. Anita graduated from Pike High School and later went on to earn degrees in zoology and psychology, as well as a masters in zoology from Indiana University. In her younger years, Anita, to no one's surprise, was crowned a 500 Festival Princess and was given the title of Miss Congeniality. Because of her effervescent personality, Anita pursued a rewarding career in sales. Anita was a top sales representative in medical/dental equipment for twenty years, spending the majority of that career traveling for Patterson Dental and Cottrell Ltd. While Anita enjoyed her continuing success traveling for work, she felt it necessary to alter her career path to allow more time at home with her number one priority, her daughter Tricia. Anita then chose a career in real estate, giving her the opportunity to devote more time to her greatest loves, faith, being a mom, and volunteering.

After obtaining her real estate license, Anita began her new career as an agent for F.C. Tucker, Co, where she was an immediate success. As her passion for her career grew, so did her desire to share her knowledge with realtors new to the business. She found great joy in teaching what she loved in hopes that others would find the success she had. Due to her growing success at Tucker, Anita was offered the position of Managing Broker by Carpenter Realtors. Still able to sell, she found great joy in matching just the right home to every client she ever had. Anita loved real estate so much, she not only managed and sold but also served on several committees for MIBOR, such as the President's Ball, Realtor Foundation, Professional Standards, Finance, and Grievance. In addition to serving, she became a Fellow of the Real Estate Academy of Leadership.

Anita still felt a great calling to serve the greater community despite her professional achievements. She always found time to give to others, making volunteerism a great part of not only her life, but her daughter's as well. Throughout Tricia's life, Anita always included her daughter in her philanthropic activities. Throughout their years together, they served as members of the Connor Prairie Alliance. Anita also spent several years as a part of the 500 Festival Equestrian Committee, eventually chairing the team.

Her entire life, Anita held a great love for the arts. She always felt it important to instill that love in Tricia. In doing so, Anita always held two season tickets to the Indiana Repertory Theatre and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, as well as attended numerous opera and ballet performances. As a result of her daughter's exposure to performing arts, Tricia, to Anita's delight, chose theatre as her primary activity while attending Cathedral High School. This gave Anita yet another opportunity to give of her time. Anita not only attended every performance Tricia was a part of, she also served on several theatre committees and was Ticket Chair for two years. Even though Anita can no longer physically attend these activities with Tricia, her presence will always be felt at every future event.

Anita always believed that God was responsible for turning her dreams into reality, especially her desire to be an outstanding mother. Since her teen years, Anita was a member of North United Methodist Church, which gave her infinite support her entire life. In giving back to the church, she served on various committees, participated in Bread and Bowl, bought and wrapped presents for Jubilee Christmas, and ushered every Sunday.

Times as hard as these make it easy to lose faith, but Anita always believed that everything happened for a reason. While it's not fair to those still living to have to learn to go on without her, she would want those who loved her to trust that God has a plan and will take care of those who will let Him. If she could say one thing about her passing, it would be to remember that she is in a better place, perhaps playing cards with her mother, and waiting for her loved ones to join her in God's time. Anyone who ever met her would know that the one person she yearns for the most is her daughter and best friend Tricia. Tricia's dad always joked that the two were more like sisters than mother and daughter. In addition to Tricia, Anita waits for her brother Gerald, nephew Geoff, niece Julie, cousins Hattie and Edgar, and many, many others she held dear.

Services to celebrate her incredible, however short, life will begin with her visitation on Monday, August 11, 2008 at Crown Hill Funeral Home between the hours of 4-8pm followed by her funeral on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at North United Methodist Church at 10am. All who knew her, even for only a moment, are greatly welcomed to celebrate Anita's life with her family.