Anita R. Lacroix

Born and raised in Bristol, CT, Anita was the eldest of four children of Anatole and Lucienne (Taillon) Fradette. She graduated from St. Anthony High School and Central Connecticut State University with a teaching degree. She met the handsome dentist who became the love of her life at the French Club, and they were married shortly after her graduation on July 11, 1964. They began their life together in Bristol, where they welcomed their two children. After several relocations while Bob pursued his Board Certification in Prosthodontics with the VA Hospital, the family settled in Gainesville, FL. Anita was an elementary school teacher at Martha Manson Academy and Joyce Bullock Elementary School in Williston, providing a guiding hand and positive impact on hundreds of students and forming lifelong friendships with colleagues. She retired in 1998. In retirement, Anita and Bob moved to St. Augustine, where they became active in the community and built many dear friendships. Anita always loved the beach, so it was a fitting place to retire and host her grandchildren during the summer.

Her Catholic faith and spirituality were central to her life, and she remained an active parishioner wherever she lived. Most recently, she was a devoted member of St. Anastasia Catholic Church in St. Augustine, where she led the altar decorating committee for years. She and Bob served on the board of Catholic Charities and were recognized as Volunteers of the Year. Anita was an avid reader and had a passion for games—whether it was her daily crossword, a round of Jeopardy, or a fierce game of Scrabble or Words with Friends, her competitive spirit shone through. She formed and hosted a longstanding monthly book club that became a source of strength, wisdom and friendship for the women participating.

Above all, she cherished her family. Coming from a large French-Canadian family, Anita maintained close connections with her siblings, aunts and many cousins through the years. In 2007, she organized a Fradette family reunion, a large gathering that brought together many generations of her family and honored the memories of those who had gone before. As a beloved Memere, she found immense joy and pride in her grandchildren and the young adults they have become. She took care of her husband during his extended illness and modeled for all of us what love, commitment and faith truly meant.

Anita was predeceased by Bob, her husband of 56 years. She is survived by her daughter, Michelle Knowles of Acworth, GA; her son, Marc Lacroix (Lisa) of Falls Church, VA; her sisters, Joanne McCarthy (Kevin) and Linda Fradette of Bristol, CT; her brother, Gregory Fradette (Lolly) and her grandchildren, Caroline, Madeline, Andrew, Alexander, and Christopher as well as many friends and family. She will be very missed.

The family would like to thank Jen and Jackie, our Trinity Hospice nurses who provided so much care and support for mom over the past few months. Details of a Celebration of Life to be held in Bristol will follow soon. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Catholic Charities of St. Augustine at www.ccbstaug.org in memory of Bob and Anita Lacroix.