Anita Whelan

Anita grew up among the orchards of Sunnyvale, California, long before the advent of Silicon Valley. She was surrounded by her loving family: Mother Josefa, Father Sebastian, Sisters Mary, Antoinette, Emily, Josie, and Carolyn and her brothers John and Sebastian Junior (Sal).

Anita graduated from Fremont High School and worked for a car dealership, where she learned to drive anything on wheels. She married John Desmond (Des), her husband of more than 50 years, in 1956, and welcomed their daughter Lori in 1958 and son John Timothy (Tim) in 1969.

Anita worked in the Military Aerospace field until she retired in 1988.

Mom and Dad moved around a bit and settled in Payson, Arizona where they lived until Dad's death in 2014. She is survived by daughter Lori (Keith), sister Carolyn (Lary), and grandchildren, Sandra and Zach.

Donations in her name may be made to Companion Hospice in Mesa, Arizona.

A memorial service for Anita will be held Friday, June 2, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park and Funeral Care, 400 South Power Road, Mesa, AZ 85206.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mariposagardens.com for the Whelan family.