Anita M. Tomkins

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Anita Tomkins (nee Normanly) on Monday, January 19, 2026. Anita was born on November 27th, 1939 in Sligo, Ireland, to Mary and Patrick Normanly. Following her brother James and sister Mary, Anita left her parents and the farmhouse she was born in and at 17-years old, emigrated alone by ship to America, in 1957. Anita spent nine wonderful years in Manhattan, where she lived with her dearest friends and cousin. Anita returned to Ireland in 1966, where she met and married Matt, in Dublin’s fair city.

A year after their first daughter Yvonne was born, Anita and Matt moved to New York, in 1971. As planned, they stayed for just three years, so Matt could experience life in America. They returned by ship to Dublin, in 1974 and one month later, Ailish, their second daughter, was born. The family spent five wonderful years with family and friends, traveling between Dublin and Sligo, but returned once again to the land of opportunity in 1979. They joined Anita’s brother James and sister Mary, in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx. Anita and Matt raised their girls in Woodlawn, working to provide the best life for Yvonne and Ailish. Woodlawn was a community of hard-working Irish immigrants, who all searched for “the American dream” and a better life for their children. Anita and Matt did just that, while instilling faith, morals and values in their girls, which Yvonne and Ailish proudly carry with them through their lives.

Anita was always so proud of her homes, both here and in Dublin. Her passion was gardening, painting and wallpapering and she could often be found tending her azalea bushes or on a ladder with a paintbrush.

Family vacations included trips to Ireland, to spend time with Anita’s parents and her brother Tommy, sister-in-law Nuala and their children, cousins in Wexford, along with Matt’s family in Waterford and Dublin. The vacation memories they created for Yvonne and Ailish are irreplaceable, as there is no place quite like Ireland and its people.

Anita and Matt were so proud to become grandparents and welcome Emma, Shannon, Matthew & Madeline. Anita now had a new title, Nanny! Nanny and Poppy spent many days babysitting the grandchildren, while Yvonne and Ailish were at work. Again, they created memories for their grandchildren that they will carry and treasure forever. How truly blessed the grandchildren are to have so many wonderful years with both of their Tomkins grandparents.

In 2022, much later in life, Anita and Matt took a big plunge and sold their Woodlawn house of 43 years, to join both Yvonne and Ailish in Bergen County, New Jersey. As many have said, it was the best decision they made. They were around the corner from their daughters and grandchildren and were now able to spend their final years together, seeing family daily. What an incredible blessing it has been! Anita and Matt moved into an adorable house in Park Ridge, where they were welcomed by their kind neighbors.

In July 2024, Anita was diagnosed with colon cancer and chose to fight it as hard as she could and with surgery and treatment, she did just that. After a year and a half battle, the treatment became too much on her little body and Anita made the decision to stop. As she wished, Anita lived her final months, weeks and days with her immediate family all around her and transitioned to the next life so very beautifully, with Matt, Yvonne, Ailish and her four grandchildren by her bedside.

Anita is survived by her husband Matt, daughters Yvonne and Ailish, four grandchildren Emma, Shannon, Matthew and Madeline and brother James. Anita is predeceased by her parents, sister Mary and brother Tommy (Nuala). Anita was loved as Mom, Nanny, NeNe and many more fun nicknames. She touched the hearts of everyone who knew or met her and will be sorely missed, but forever loved.

Family and friends are invited to Becker Funeral Home at 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ on Friday, January 23rd, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, in Old Tappan on Saturday, January 24th, 2026 at 11:00 a.m., followed by internment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery at 10 W Stevens Avenue in Hawthorne, NY. Fr. Kevin Gilgore will officiate Anita’s Funeral Mass.

Anita loved the color purple, flowers and anything “sequins,” as she called it, or bling. In her honor, the family would love you to wear something purple, flowery or sparkly. She will surely be smiling down with pride and love from above!