Anita Louise Chittenden, at the age of 72, was peacefully called back to be with Jesus in the early morning hours of July 15th, 2021, after an admirable and courageous battle with glioblastoma brain cancer.
Anita was born to Lawrence and Hazel Dyball on September 6th, 1948, in Brookings, South Dakota. She lived in Hot Springs, South Dakota during her younger years and enjoyed growing up on the property of the State Soldiers Home where her father was the director. During that time, she met Tom Burrell. They married in 1967, moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and together had Kristine in 1972 and Jason in 1977. After Jason was born, the four of them moved to Phoenix. In 1982, Anita remarried to George Chittenden. Anita, George, and the kids resided in Tempe for years. During that time, Anita was diagnosed with Lupus, an autoimmune disease, which became the first major medical battle of her life. She was not expected to live past the age of 40. However, she put her faith in God, leaned on her family and friends and persevered to eventually be in remission and what an amazing blessing that was.
Regardless of her health, Anita was always fully dedicated to being a mom. Not only was she Kristine and Jason’s mom, but she played “2nd mom” to several of their friends. She took so much pride in that role.
In recent years, Anita was residing in Sun Lakes where she was truly living her best life. She had her little house set up just like she wanted, teddy bears everywhere, but she was always on the go. She was very active at church, volunteering and singing in the choir. She enjoyed visiting the various clubhouses with her friends for dinner and dancing. You could also find her out to lunch with her girlfriends, shopping for clothes and jewelry, or sneaking out to the casino. Her absolute favorite activity above all was watching her one and only beloved grandson, Jacob, play football. No matter what, she always lived every single day to its fullest and always told everyone around her to do the same.
In January 2021, Anita almost lost her life to Covid. A month after Covid came stroke-like symptoms which resulted in the glioblastoma diagnosis on February 25th, 2021. She was a warrior with amazing strength through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Anita’s children, Kristine and Jason, were right by her side through the journey as they have been all their lives. The three of them have always been inseparable.
Anita was a wonderful and loving mother who gave her all to her kids, her grandson, family, and friends. She was everyone’s cheerleader and biggest supporter. She had a great gift in becoming best friends with strangers every time she went out. Anita was a natural beauty with her dark hair that had never been colored, her brilliant blue eyes, and that smile that she was so famous for. Anita was one of a kind. She was feisty, strong-willed and stubborn, always reminding everyone of her German and Irish heritage. She was always dressed up and loved her jewelry.
The most enduring quality above anything else was she lived as a witness of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Things will never be the same without her. May she forever rest in perfect peace.
Anita was preceded in death by her father- Lawrence Wibur Dyball; and mother- Hazel Louise Scharffenberg. She is survived by her daughter- Kristine Taylor; grandson- Jacob Taylor; son- Jason Burrell; and daughter-in-law Jessica Burrell.
Chapel services will be held on Saturday, July 24th from 11:00am to 12:00pm at San Tan Mountain View Funeral Home, 21809 S Ellsworth Rd., Queen Creek, AZ 85142.
Flowers may be sent to the funeral home or please consider a donation in Anita’s name to one of the following: Glioblastoma Foundation, American Cancer Society, Lupus Foundation of Arizona. Cards may be sent to Kristine Taylor- 2706 E Lodgepole Dr., Gilbert, AZ 85298.