TRAVERSE CITY — Anita L. Frisby, 83, passed away peacefully early Monday morning, April 18, 2011, at Grand Traverse Pavilions, following a brief illness. Anita was born March 23, 1928, to John and Mary Bensko in Brookside, Ala. One of eight children, she grew up on the family farm in Amsterdam, Ohio. She graduated as her high school salutatorian and was an active student participating in cheerleading and winning several regional oratorical competitions. On June 5, 1948, Anita married C. Jack Frisby in Saginaw. Anita and Jack's life together led them from Saginaw to Arizona, and finally to Traverse City in 1962. Early on in Saginaw, Anita worked at Michigan Bell and in Jack's plumbing and heating business. In Traverse City she was employed as a secretary at Perla and Stout, the office of Dr. Mildred Herkner (Ballance) and the office of Dr. Mark Noss. She also served as a mentor to young women at the Traverse City State Hospital. Anita was active in her churches. In Saginaw, she was the Children's Music Leader, a Sunday school teacher and a member of the choir. In Traverse City, she was a devoted member of The First Christian Church, where she was active in the Christian Women's Fellowship with a focus on missions. Anita's faith was central to her life and assured that God was always with her through the mountains and valleys she encountered. Anita enjoyed visiting with her children, grandchildren, friends, birthday club buddies and her church family. She was an avid football fan. Her green thumb was amazing. The gardens were spectacular, sans Miracle-Gro. She could bake a cherry pie like no other. The family gatherings she loved most were Christmas Eve, where one would find Baba down on the floor with her grandchildren opening gifts (making sure to save all the good ribbons) and of course, all of the birthday parties (where many of the ribbons reappeared). Anita is survived by her son, John (Nancy) Frisby; daughter, Barbara (Michael) McCurry; grandchildren, Kyle (Kate) Attwood, Graceyn (Joseph) Burgess, all of Traverse City, Matthew Frisby, of Seattle, Wash., and Mark Frisby, of Sterling Heights; her sister, Annie DeMarco (Bob Walker), of Ohio; special nieces and nephews; as well as dear friends and neighbors. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jack in 2000; brothers, John Bensko and Steven Bensko; and sisters, Mary Schuler, Rosalie King, Catherine Denzinger and Ellen Blazewizk. Visitation will take place on Friday April 29, 2011, at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City, from 5 until 7 p.m. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2011, at 11 a.m., at the First Christian Church, with Pastor Brett Spalding officiating. A luncheon will follow. Memorials may be directed to the Benevolence Fund of the First Christian Church, 3686 S. Airport Road-West, Traverse City, MI 49684. Kindly share your memories with the family on their online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com . Arrangements were made with the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.