Obituary of Anita C DeGraaf

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our wife, mother and Nana, Anita Conner DeGraaf. Anita passed away peacefully at her home on September 22. She was surrounded by love.

Anita was born on June 15, 1954 in Nashville, Tennessee to Emery Conner and Ruth Conner. She moved to Jacksonville, Fl at the age of four and then to St. Petersburg, Fl at the age of eleven. Throughout her life, Anita found the greatest joy spending time with her family and her friends. She was known for her caring heart, infectious laugh and incredible sense of humor. She was a doting Nana that was always present to listen to a story, to stop and play or to remind you that she loved you “to the moon and back”. And as an avid reader, story times with her were precious. She bound her family together, a central point that all revolved around, certain that you were always in her thoughts and in her heart. For her friends she was a constant, a true confidant, always offering support, love or a laugh. She gave of herself freely and found the good in all. It was these qualities that led her to volunteer with Clothes to Kids, which provides support and clothing to children to prepare them to pursue their education. 

Anita Is preceded in death by her father, Vaulx Emery Conner, her mother Ruth Motes Conner and her brother Robert Emery Conner. She is survived by her husband, Robert DeGraaf; her sister Amy Conner; her brother Mike Conner; her son Martin McDermott (Rebecca); her daughter Jennifer McDermott (Jason); her son Michael McDermott; step daughters Carrie Monk (Scott) and Stacy Sallah (James); step son Colby DeGraaf; and grandchildren; Campbell McDermott, Dex McDermott, Alyssa Bookman, Audra Monk, Brooke Monk, Elena Monk, Haven Monk, Paige Sallah, Genna Sallah and Nathaniel Sallah.   

In Lieu of flowers, Anita has asked that those that wish to make a memorial contribution may donate to Clothes to Kids or to a charity that is close to you and your family.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 13^th at 4:00 pm at Anderson-McQueen, located at 2201 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North, St Petersburg, Fl 33704.