Anita Minck

Anita Minck of Gainesville, Florida passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at the beautiful age of 95. Her passing was peaceful, with her family by her side. Grace Anita Stella was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 29, 1928, to Anthony and Mabel Stella. Known to family and friends by her middle name Anita, she lived in her childhood home in Northeast Gainesville until she married William E. Minck in 1955. The young couple then resided in Atlanta, Georgia, where they adopted a daughter, and a son, before moving back to Gainesville in 1968. Her father emigrated to the United States from Italy as a young man and owned and operated Tony Stella Fine Tailoring in downtown Gainesville for over 50 years. Her mother assisted her husband in the family business and was a devoted homemaker. Anita was the middle child of three, and a graduate of Gainesville High School when it was originally located on East University Avenue. She attended the University of Florida, and worked for BellSouth, then known as Southern Bell, when she lived in Atlanta. Anita maintained a lifelong love of both music and dancing, especially enjoying the classic songs from the World War II big band era. She sang in her church choir, attended many concerts, and was a member of The Sweet Notes, whose music brought much joy to herself, and many others. Always one to stay active, Anita was also a member of the Gainesville Christian Women’s Connection, Beta Sigma Phi sorority, and the Gainesville Garden Club. At the time of her passing she was a member of Covenant Church in Gainesville. She is preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, William, who passed away in 1998. She is survived by her daughter Merridith Arola of Gainesville, Florida, her son and daughter-in-law Mark and Deborah Minck of Newberry, Florida, and her three precious grandchildren, Isaac, Dietrich, and Jovanna Minck, who lovingly refer to her as “Granita”. Anita loved the Lord, and anticipated the day she would enter her eternal home with her Heavenly Father. She was a gracious, fun-loving, kind-hearted woman who lived life to the fullest, was loved by many, and will be greatly missed. A service to honor her life will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at 12:00 PM at the First Baptist Church located at 14105 NW 39th Avenue, Gainesville, Florida 32606. Anita was always grateful to God for her children’s birth mothers, and their decision to place them for adoption, enabling her and her husband to have the daughter and son they had been praying for. With this in mind, a donation can be made in her honor at www.Florida4Life.com, or by check to Florida4Life mailed to 4809 NW 2nd Place, Gainesville, Florida 32607, in lieu of flowers.

Anita Minck

November 29, 1928 - May 14, 2024