Anita Marie Sullivan

                    Anita Marie Kisner Sullivan, age 96, well known area music teacher, of New Albany, PA, passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2017 at Dar-Way Elder Care in Estella, PA.             Anita was born in Mildred, on March 30, 1920, a daughter of the late Charles W. & Pauline Obert Kisner.  She attended Cherry Twp. School and graduated from New Albany High School, class of 1937, where she met her future husband, Patrick F. Sullivan.             Anita then attended Mansfield State College and graduated in 1941 with double degrees:  music and English education.  She taught music, English and art at the Cherry Twp. School, Mildred, PA, for several years after marrying her husband of 50 years on July 6, 1942.             After taking 10 years off to raise a family, Anita began teaching Music Education at the New Albany School, grades 1 thru 12.  When the New Albany School joined the Wyalusing School District, Anita continued teaching music, vocal and instrumental in the 4 elementary schools; New Albany, Wyalusing, Laceyville, and Camptown, along with private piano lessons.  She taught for 33 years.             Anita also helped her husband and family with the family farm in New Albany.             Anita’s love for music and teaching continued after retirement.  She began teaching private lessons to senior citizens who always wanted to learn an instrument and never had time.  Anita also coordinated the library Children’s Reading Hour, New Albany’s Girl Scout Unit, WPS (Widow Persons Service) of New Albany, and St. Francis Xavier Sunday School Education Program, Overton.  She was a member of the Towanda Senior Citizens.  Through the years, Anita was the organist and choir director at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Mildred, St. Francis Xavier, Overton and St. John Neumann Shrine, Sugar Ridge.  After becoming legally blind, Anita worked with the Area Agency on Aging and called several homebound seniors, daily.             Anita was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Dushore and its Altar and Rosary Society.   Surviving are her children:  son – Patrick “Jay” (Bonnie) Sullivan, Mansfield; daughters:  Dawn Vitez, Lebanon; and Jean (James) Heinrichs, Shirley, NY.  Grandchildren:  Nicole Sullivan, New Albany; Tammy (Scott) Fegan, Endicott, NY; Nancey Sullivan, Mansfield; Amy (Kevin) Donnelly, Florida; Allegra Heinrichs, Shirley, NY; Mary Katharine Farrie, Sparta, NJ; Great Grandchildren:  Ariana Sullivan, Mansfield; Kaley Heinrichs, Shirley, NY; son-in-law: Charles Farrie, Sparta, NJ; and a sister-in-law: Marie Kisner, Danville, PA and several nieces and nephews.             Preceding Anita to their Heavenly Home were:  husband, Patrick Sullivan, on December 16, 1992; son – Wayne Sullivan, on August 28, 2010; daughter, Sheryl Farrie on January 30, 2009; son-in-law – Sir William Bela C. Vitez, on July 28, 2016; brothers – Charles F. Kisner, on August 5, 2013; and infant Ralph in 1913; and brother and sister-in-law:  Donald and Mary Sullivan Waples.             A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 17th, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Basil’s Church, Dushore, PA 18614 with the Rev. Richard Rojas, her pastor, presiding.  Interment will be in the adjoining parish cemetery.             Friends and family may call at the church from 10:00A.M., until the time of the Mass.             Funeral arrangements are under the supervision of the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, PA 18614             The family will provide the flowers and ask that donations be made to the charity of one’s choice or to the Wyalusing Valley Elementary School Music Department, 11450 Wyalusing-New Albany Road, Wyalusing, PA 18853.             Please share memories of Anita with the family by sending them to nsullivan23@hotmail.com             To send condolences or sign the e-guestbook, please go to www.homerfuneralhome.com.   To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Anita Marie Sullivan, please visit our flower store.