Anita was born in Hammonton, New Jersey, on March 14, 1933.

She majored in English at Chestnut Hill College in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania, and graduated in 1954. The same year, she married C. Francis Varga. Working as a teacher, she supported her husband during his studies, his residency and his two Army deployments while also raising five children.

Anita’s growing family moved to Lake Placid in 1970. A natural athlete and fierce competitor, she took up hiking, tennis and Nordic as well as Alpine skiing. She impressed and terrified her children by continuing to ski Whiteface Mountain’s double black diamonds until the age of 88. When she could no longer ski, she pivoted to aerobic yoga, bridge and golf.

Anita loved gardening and was a superb chef. She used the herbs and vegetables that she grew in her garden to perfect the Italian, Slovak and Hungarian specialties her family loved. She enjoyed sharing her passion of cooking with her grandchildren.

For over 20 years, Anita was a real estate sales associate at Century 21 Wilkins Agency. She volunteered with St. Agnes Church Catholic Daughters, Essex County Meals On Wheels, Mercy Care for the Adirondacks, and as a Eucharistic Minister and lector at St. Agnes Catholic Church.

Anita always put others first. She will be greatly missed by her family, many friends and the community of Lake Placid.

After more than seventy years of marriage, Anita predeceased her husband by six days. Two sons, Francis Jr. and George, and her daughter-in-law Loren predeceased Anita.

She is survived by two sons, Paul and Thomas; her daughter and son-in-law Victoria and Daniel Brouder; four grandchildren, Karissa, Alexander, Ethan, and James; her sister, Kathleen Sacco; and her sisters-in-law Carol and Alice; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated for Anita and Fran at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Lake Placid. The Rev. John Yonkovig will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Anita and Fran’s memory to High Peaks Hospice Support in Saranac Lake.

The M. B. Clark, Inc., Funeral Home in Lake Placid is in charge of arrangements. Please visit www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com to share a memory or leave condolences for the Varga family.