1929
Anita
2019
Anita Orfila
August 21, 1929 — May 16, 2019
Anita Willingham Orfila, age 89, died Thursday, May 16, 2019, in Pass Christian, MS. Mrs. Orfila was born in Illmo, Missouri, on August 21, 1929, to Sanford and Bertha Owen Willingham. She was raised in Kentucky by her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Beck and Elizabeth Jane Willingham Vaughn after the death of her mother. At age 16, Anita and her family moved to New Orleans, LA, where she attended Sophie B. Wright High School and Newcomb College. It was in New Orleans that she met her late husband, Edward Ronald Orfila, and then shared 52 years of marriage together.
Mrs. Orfila has been a resident of Pass Christian for 24 years. She was an active member of Trinity Episcopal Church, serving as a member of the Altar Guild and St. Martha's Guild. She was also a member of the Pass Christian Historical Society and Pass Christian Yacht Club. Anita was a loving wife, mother, and friend. She had too many hobbies to list. She was known for her humor, quick wit, independence, and knowledge about so many things.
Mrs. Orfila was preceded in death by her loving husband, Edward Ronald Orfila, her parents, Sanford and Bertha Willingham, her adoptive parents, Edward and Elizabeth Vaughn, her eldest daughter Jane Todd Orfila Szush in 1989, and two of her siblings, Mary Todd Willingham Garcia and Robert Owen Willingham.
Survivors include her son, Stuart Orfila (Becky) of Pass Christian, and daughter, Anne Orfila Betz (Albert) of Pass Christian, and her son-in-law, James Szush. Mrs. Orfila was the grandmother of four: Jessica Szush Granier (Cody), Andrew Szush (Ginger), Jane Todd Betz, and Owen Betz. Her great-grandchildren are Addie and Connor Granier, and Drew and Austin Szush. Her sister, Corrine Willingham Shaw of Hickman, Kentucky, survives her.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, May 24, 2019, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Pass Christian. Friends may call one hour prior. Burial will be in Live Oak Cemetery, immediately north of the church.
Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Coast Episcopal School Chapel Fund, 5065 Espy Avenue, Long Beach, MS, 39571.
Mrs. Orfila has been a resident of Pass Christian for 24 years. She was an active member of Trinity Episcopal Church, serving as a member of the Altar Guild and St. Martha's Guild. She was also a member of the Pass Christian Historical Society and Pass Christian Yacht Club. Anita was a loving wife, mother, and friend. She had too many hobbies to list. She was known for her humor, quick wit, independence, and knowledge about so many things.
Mrs. Orfila was preceded in death by her loving husband, Edward Ronald Orfila, her parents, Sanford and Bertha Willingham, her adoptive parents, Edward and Elizabeth Vaughn, her eldest daughter Jane Todd Orfila Szush in 1989, and two of her siblings, Mary Todd Willingham Garcia and Robert Owen Willingham.
Survivors include her son, Stuart Orfila (Becky) of Pass Christian, and daughter, Anne Orfila Betz (Albert) of Pass Christian, and her son-in-law, James Szush. Mrs. Orfila was the grandmother of four: Jessica Szush Granier (Cody), Andrew Szush (Ginger), Jane Todd Betz, and Owen Betz. Her great-grandchildren are Addie and Connor Granier, and Drew and Austin Szush. Her sister, Corrine Willingham Shaw of Hickman, Kentucky, survives her.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, May 24, 2019, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Pass Christian. Friends may call one hour prior. Burial will be in Live Oak Cemetery, immediately north of the church.
Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Coast Episcopal School Chapel Fund, 5065 Espy Avenue, Long Beach, MS, 39571.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Anita Orfila, please visit our flower store.
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