Obituary for Anita C. Edwards (Ferreira)
Anita C. Edwards, age 89, of Martinsburg WV, formerly of Bowie, MD, passed away on March 27, 2021, surrounded by her loving and devoted family. She was the widow of Herbert Joseph “Joe” Edwards, with who she shared nearly 59 years of marriage. She was preceded in death by her sister, Marian Jones, and her brother, Louis Ferreira. Anita was a decades-long breast cancer survivor and was an inspiration to many others who suffered from this disease.
Born in Hyattsville, MD, she was the daughter of Vita Vicino Ferreira and Joseph Ferreira, who had recently immigrated to the United States from Brazil. She was a graduate of Hyattsville High School Class of 1950. She met her husband Joe when he was invited to her 14th birthday party, and the rest is history. She married her high school sweetheart in 1954, at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Hyattsville, MD and together they raised three daughters, Joanne (Dave) Wadsworth, of Martinsburg, WV; Carolyn (Neal) Ley, of Charlottesville, VA; and Elaine (Joe) Comer of Falling Waters, WV. Throughout their years together, they were dedicated parents, proudly supportive of their daughters and their many accomplishments. They were especially proud of their six grandchildren. Anita will be lovingly remembered as “Gaha” by Robert “RB” (Stephanie Mathias) Seem, Stephen (Tara)Seem, and Michael (Stephanie) Seem, as “Nana” by Alexander Ley, and as “G-Ma” by Victor III and Emily Unnone and their father Victor A. Unnone, Jr., Anita offered everyone a sweet, genuine smile and sincere kindness and will be remembered fondly by a large extended family, which includes the families of her niece Mariann Jenkins and her nephew Joseph Ferreira, and all of her grandchildren’s friends.
Anita began her working career as a bookkeeper for the Nickle’s Family Construction Company in Hyattsville. As her family grew, she chose to be at home to care for them. She was greatly appreciated by her neighbors as she and Joe hosted family-friendly neighborhood events that always featured great food, fun, and games for the energetic young families. She was renowned for the delicious food she served these large crowds. She was involved in her daughter’s schools and was affectionately known as the “Room Mom” as well as the “Cookie Mom” for their Girl Scout troops. During this time, she also became the primary caregiver to the grandparents. Years later, when the girls were out of school, she returned to the workforce in the offices of Back to Health Chiropractic in Bowie, MD.
In 2006, she and Joe moved to Martinsburg to be closer to their daughters and grandchildren. Anita became an active supporter of and participant in many of her daughters’ and grandchildren’s activities, helping out at school and community-service events. She joyfully attended soccer games, band concerts, swim meets, dance recitals, and every other event that featured her beloved grandchildren. Anita also was active in community service as an honorary member of the International Women’s Sorority, Beta Sigma Phi (PAK Chapter), a past member of the Perennial Garden Club, and as a volunteer for Hospice of the Eastern Panhandle. She also made many friends through her church affiliations at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church and as an active member at the Berkeley Senior Center, where she enjoyed many activities with her friends.
A private Catholic service will be held with the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Hospice of the Panhandle, 330 Hospice Lane, Kearneysville, WV 25430.
Born in Hyattsville, MD, she was the daughter of Vita Vicino Ferreira and Joseph Ferreira, who had recently immigrated to the United States from Brazil. She was a graduate of Hyattsville High School Class of 1950. She met her husband Joe when he was invited to her 14th birthday party, and the rest is history. She married her high school sweetheart in 1954, at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Hyattsville, MD and together they raised three daughters, Joanne (Dave) Wadsworth, of Martinsburg, WV; Carolyn (Neal) Ley, of Charlottesville, VA; and Elaine (Joe) Comer of Falling Waters, WV. Throughout their years together, they were dedicated parents, proudly supportive of their daughters and their many accomplishments. They were especially proud of their six grandchildren. Anita will be lovingly remembered as “Gaha” by Robert “RB” (Stephanie Mathias) Seem, Stephen (Tara)Seem, and Michael (Stephanie) Seem, as “Nana” by Alexander Ley, and as “G-Ma” by Victor III and Emily Unnone and their father Victor A. Unnone, Jr., Anita offered everyone a sweet, genuine smile and sincere kindness and will be remembered fondly by a large extended family, which includes the families of her niece Mariann Jenkins and her nephew Joseph Ferreira, and all of her grandchildren’s friends.
Anita began her working career as a bookkeeper for the Nickle’s Family Construction Company in Hyattsville. As her family grew, she chose to be at home to care for them. She was greatly appreciated by her neighbors as she and Joe hosted family-friendly neighborhood events that always featured great food, fun, and games for the energetic young families. She was renowned for the delicious food she served these large crowds. She was involved in her daughter’s schools and was affectionately known as the “Room Mom” as well as the “Cookie Mom” for their Girl Scout troops. During this time, she also became the primary caregiver to the grandparents. Years later, when the girls were out of school, she returned to the workforce in the offices of Back to Health Chiropractic in Bowie, MD.
In 2006, she and Joe moved to Martinsburg to be closer to their daughters and grandchildren. Anita became an active supporter of and participant in many of her daughters’ and grandchildren’s activities, helping out at school and community-service events. She joyfully attended soccer games, band concerts, swim meets, dance recitals, and every other event that featured her beloved grandchildren. Anita also was active in community service as an honorary member of the International Women’s Sorority, Beta Sigma Phi (PAK Chapter), a past member of the Perennial Garden Club, and as a volunteer for Hospice of the Eastern Panhandle. She also made many friends through her church affiliations at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church and as an active member at the Berkeley Senior Center, where she enjoyed many activities with her friends.
A private Catholic service will be held with the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Hospice of the Panhandle, 330 Hospice Lane, Kearneysville, WV 25430.