Anita Skinner, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and heart of the family, passed away peacefully on August 17 at the age of 89 following a short illness after a fall in May. She was born Anita Catherine Klasinski on February 3, 1929 to parents Emily (Cerletti) and Ignatius Klasinski in Leavenworth, Kansas. She grew up the youngest of three brothers and one sister on a farm until age 16 when the family moved into town. She attended St. Mary’s High School in Leavenworth, graduating as valedictorian of her class and continued her education at St Mary’s College receiving her Bachelor degree in Music. She met and married George B Skinner in 1951; entering into the life of a military wife, traveling the world. While moving every few years, she was a busy homemaker and enjoyed raising her three children. She played the piano and cello, sharing her love of music and the arts with her children. She sang in choirs and directed a children’s choir when she lived in Germany. She settled in Novato, California with her husband in 1973 after he retired from the military. Friends and family were always welcome in their home, where she enjoyed visiting over meals and ensured there was plenty to eat. Family was always her first priority. She enjoyed gathering her children and 7 grandchildren for each and every holiday. She was a hands-on Grandma sharing her time with them, taking them to the local pool, playing with them at the park and taking them on adventures to many places. She thoroughly enjoyed them as they grew up. Her travels with her husband, Breck, brother, Fr George, and sister, Louise were special. In recent years, she enjoyed trips to the casino with her sister and welcoming each of her 8 great-grandchildren. Anita is preceded in death by her husband Breck; brother’s Roman, Herman and Fr. George. She is survived by her sister Louise; son Breck Jr (Dorothy), daughter Susan, daughter Leslie (Mike); grandchildren Scott (Lindsey), Michelle (Dave), Jeff (Mary), Ryan, Teresa (Keenan), Alan, Sean; 7 great grandsons and 1 great granddaughter, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Sunday, August 26 from 4-8:00pm with a 6:00pm rosary at Keaton’s Redwood Chapel in Novato. The Funeral Mass will be on Monday, August 27 at 11:00am at Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church with burial immediately following at Valley Memorial Park Cemetery in Novato. There will be a lunch reception at the Hilltop Restaurant where Anita and Breck celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
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