Obituary of Anita Ruth Colell

Anita Ruth Colell (born Wills)

Anita Ruth Colell (born Wills), age 91, passed away in Tucson on December 27, 2018.  

Anita was born August 23, 1927 in Ahmeek, Michigan, the daughter of Harold and Lillian Wills, raised in the traditions of a Finnish-American copper mining community. She married Paul Maxwell Colell, an Air Force service member, who was stationed in Upper Peninsula Michigan.  Together they traveled the world raising three children, Clarissa, Paul and Trudy. 

She was dedicated to her family, moving wherever and whenever the Air Force sent them.  She would set up a home and support her husband and children in the frequent transitions from base to base around the world.  In retirement, Anita continued to travel with her husband, Paul as they explored the United States in their RV, enjoying those moments together and sharing visits with friends and family.  They settled in Tucson and made their home in the desert warmth.  She cared for Paul until his passing in 2014.  She then shared a home with her daughter, Trudy, and continued to cultivate her green thumb as she worked together with Trudy to create a new home filled plants, tended their vegetable garden, kept some very busy hummingbird feeders filled for her hummingbird visitors, and was known to sing to the full moon.  Anita and Trudy welcomed a new addition to their home this past year when Athena, their cat, came to live with them. 

Those mourning Anita’s passing include:  her sole surviving sister, Betsey Lichtfeldt, her three children and their spouses, Clarissa Marques, and her husband, Paul, Paul Colell and his wife, Jewel, and Trudy Colell.   Also mourning her loss are her four grandchildren and their spouses, John Swann and his wife, Paula, Alexander Marques and his wife, Hillary, Sara Kadlec and her husband, Ryan, and Lauren Vaccaro and her husband, Justus.  She also leaves behind three great-grandchildren, Maxwell Swann and Abigail and Samuel Kadlec. She will also be missed by Athena and by many hummingbirds who call her home their own. 

Anita demonstrated a life of courage, resilience, grit, tenacity and perseverance – SISU.  She will be missed terribly by all that knew her.  We have lost an amazing woman.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, December 31, at 11:00 a.m. at Bring’s Broadway Chapel. 

A celebration of her life will be held later in the year to honor her request for a celebration outdoors as part of her life-long commitment to the peace and beauty of the outdoor world. 

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages people to consider a donation to one of the charities that Anita supported:  Emerge! Center Against Domestic Violence and the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona