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It is with sadness we announce the peaceful passing on October 30, 2020 of ANITA ODESSA.  Anita was born December 21, 1918 in St. Michael, Barbados, and as a young woman she met and then married Gordon Calvester Francis from St. Barnabas, Barbados and they were members of the Dayrells Road Gospel Hall.  

In the summer of 1955, the family relocated to Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada. They worshipped at the Sydney Gospel Hall where Anita and Gordon were in fellowship for over 50 years. They were blessed with

eight children Jacqueline Marlyn Roberts (Oswald), Leroy (Anne), Wendy, Christopher (infant, deceased), Mike (Calgary), Gordon Jr. (Glace Bay), Angela, Karen Kebede (Mengiste); six grandchildren (Myles and Catherine Roberts, Craig Francis (Ruby), Mark Francis, Lela and Nile Kebede) and three great-grandchildren (Owen, Ella and Ajay Francis). Following the death of her husband, Anita moved to Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada to be with her children who had settled in the area. 

Anita was predeceased by her parents Edwin and Eldica (Waldron) Brathwaite, and sister Dorothea Brathwaite (New York, U.S.A).  She was relative of the Brathwaite, Francis, Linton, Redman and Walcott families (Barbados, Canada, England and U.S.A) and the late Marjorie Jones (Linton).

Anita lived an exemplary life filled with happy laughter and concern for friends and amazing neighbours. When not focusing on her family, Anita ran her own business as a local seamstress who is well remembered in Barbados and Glace Bay.  She lived a rich and satisfying life full of blessings and triumphs that allowed her to reach 101 years.

Visitation was held on Thursday, November 5, 2020 at Marshall Funeral Home – Richmond Hill, Ontario. Final visitation and funeral service were held on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at the V.T. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve Street, Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada. Interment took place at Forest Haven Memorial Gardens, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Kindly post online condolences to: sydjonesfunerals.com